Exploring new ideas and bringing some short stories to SV
Azatol’s random ideas, drabbles
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Soar
- Location
- Michigan
This thread is for sharing some shorter ideas / writing. Either new ideas or something carried from my blog or file folder.
For the intro I'll share a weird sci-fi world with aliens, zeppelins, and a sort of soul / personality as an actual quantifiable force.
—
Traveler Knight, Chapter 1
Going to England to apply for college in Oxford with his girlfriend had been the most happy, dreamy and romantic thing ever.
It would take weeks for mail to arrive back in the Americas with the University's response.
Wessinh was native born Odawan. My father's an Englishman but I was born here too, the weird Anglo kid. Dad was an important reference for Wessinh to be able to apply.
Odawa and the greater Lakes sphere of American nations had not yet built a spaceship. The Aliens cooperated with China as well as many European nations but England had built dozens of ships when the rest of the nations only had 9 all together.
I guess the Ethereals had a similar mindset to Englishmen. These Ethereals were traders and financiers. They established the standards for insurance for passenger carrying ships, and many other details.
Oxford in particular was an epicenter. Wessinh and I had seen a few Ethereals in our lifetime before. One was a regular business partner of my dad's. But Oxford had residences and apartments blocks designed for their comfort.
After all this excitement, I was holding my letter, and Wessinh had dropped hers on the table. Her parents were silent.
It was not an environment of worry or excitement, but something dreary.
"Adam," she said quietly. "You know grandmom moved in a while back."
He had heard the old woman coughing.
"She's sick, real sick. She needs medicine. I can't be gone from here for years like we had planned."
What? Maybe if she was declined from Oxford I knew she was interested in medicine. She could study here. But why not check first?
"You don't want to look?" I asked. "What if—"
"I can't Adam, why look at something you can't have. Don't look at mine."
She said the last as I looks towards the envelope on the table.
Her dad spoke up, "Wessinh needs someone practical, someone who can help me. I'm getting old Adam."
Wessinh didn't say anything as I felt the pit of my stomach drop out. My hands tingled and were numb.
Her mom helped me up.
"Wessinh's cared for you. We told her this dream was a long shot. An investment we could make, if everything went right. But it didn't. She doesn't need a reminder of bad things. It's best if you give her peace."
"Thank you Mrs. Namida. Goodbye," I whispered.
"Goodbye."
*
Dad's friendly Ethereal was still at our house when I got there.
I was surprised to see the two of them out on the lawn.
Dad was saying something as I walked past them towards the house.
Finally I realized. "I haven't opened my letter yet."
"Then why does Sutchas say your spirit is 'no longer pleasing to soul gaze'?"
Did Dad's business partner stare at me with his soul sight? Had this been happening?
"Wessinh broke up with me, or rather her parents want me out, and she's going into medicine instead of even looking at her letter. I would feel better if she even just looked at it."
"You could go back to London, even if you aren't accepted. Get away for a while," Dad said.
"Thanks dad. Let's open it up."
Dear Sir or Ma'am: We regret to
I folded it up, and went inside.
Maybe I could learn something mechanical from the local college, and try to win Wessinh back?
It was going to drive me crazy though. At least if I went to Oxford I could experience a little bit of my dream second time.
Ethereal was the common language of just about everyone on earth. I mostly understood Sutchas.
"There still maybe time to apply to a different program."
I had applied in a fusion program covering inter-species diplomacy, trade and economics, but it was only halfway to what I wanted to study.
Spiritual dynamics was a form of physics very difficult for humans to pursue without their own soul sight, but it was possible. That was a small program at Oxford I could apply to, if I could just get back to England fast enough.
*
It was a simple matter for Father to give me some funds and rush me to the aero field. Crappy weather made me increasingly nervous as we went further and further east.
We refueled briefly in Lenape nation, and then went out over the ocean. It felt like we made good time, compensating for early slowness, but when we arrived in London, the fog was so thick no one would fly out.
I looked for alternatives but the horseless carriage was still too rare and expensive. Designers were struggling to meet the pollution standards of the Ethereals, and the only Carriages on the road were electrically powered.
A day later I finally took an air ship to Oxford.
*
"All programs have accepted their students, as of two days ago, admissions is closed until next year," the clerk in a nearly empty admissions office told me.
Weather. If the weather had just cooperated.
At least I had a few months of funds to live in the city, and keep my eyes opened.
*
Atliero Numat stumbled at the brightness of the human in front of him. There was no single standard for soul colors, but in this case, what the Benevolents called 'Soar' seemed appropriate for the boy.
Soar tended to get dragged down by a sort of spiritual gravity, but this boy had dealt with several knocks lately, and still he was looking, hoping, faithful. Soaring above the clouds.
Everyone's synesthesia regarding souls was different but to Numat, the boy was bright yellow. Blindingly plain yellow, no subtlety in the color.
He would find a way to stumble upon the boy again. The training program might find use for such a person.
__
Loosely inspired by Up, and early positive feeling science fiction. I wrote a few chapters but I want to revise them like I did the first chapter if I continue this.
For the intro I'll share a weird sci-fi world with aliens, zeppelins, and a sort of soul / personality as an actual quantifiable force.
—
Traveler Knight, Chapter 1
Going to England to apply for college in Oxford with his girlfriend had been the most happy, dreamy and romantic thing ever.
It would take weeks for mail to arrive back in the Americas with the University's response.
Wessinh was native born Odawan. My father's an Englishman but I was born here too, the weird Anglo kid. Dad was an important reference for Wessinh to be able to apply.
Odawa and the greater Lakes sphere of American nations had not yet built a spaceship. The Aliens cooperated with China as well as many European nations but England had built dozens of ships when the rest of the nations only had 9 all together.
I guess the Ethereals had a similar mindset to Englishmen. These Ethereals were traders and financiers. They established the standards for insurance for passenger carrying ships, and many other details.
Oxford in particular was an epicenter. Wessinh and I had seen a few Ethereals in our lifetime before. One was a regular business partner of my dad's. But Oxford had residences and apartments blocks designed for their comfort.
After all this excitement, I was holding my letter, and Wessinh had dropped hers on the table. Her parents were silent.
It was not an environment of worry or excitement, but something dreary.
"Adam," she said quietly. "You know grandmom moved in a while back."
He had heard the old woman coughing.
"She's sick, real sick. She needs medicine. I can't be gone from here for years like we had planned."
What? Maybe if she was declined from Oxford I knew she was interested in medicine. She could study here. But why not check first?
"You don't want to look?" I asked. "What if—"
"I can't Adam, why look at something you can't have. Don't look at mine."
She said the last as I looks towards the envelope on the table.
Her dad spoke up, "Wessinh needs someone practical, someone who can help me. I'm getting old Adam."
Wessinh didn't say anything as I felt the pit of my stomach drop out. My hands tingled and were numb.
Her mom helped me up.
"Wessinh's cared for you. We told her this dream was a long shot. An investment we could make, if everything went right. But it didn't. She doesn't need a reminder of bad things. It's best if you give her peace."
"Thank you Mrs. Namida. Goodbye," I whispered.
"Goodbye."
*
Dad's friendly Ethereal was still at our house when I got there.
I was surprised to see the two of them out on the lawn.
Dad was saying something as I walked past them towards the house.
Finally I realized. "I haven't opened my letter yet."
"Then why does Sutchas say your spirit is 'no longer pleasing to soul gaze'?"
Did Dad's business partner stare at me with his soul sight? Had this been happening?
"Wessinh broke up with me, or rather her parents want me out, and she's going into medicine instead of even looking at her letter. I would feel better if she even just looked at it."
"You could go back to London, even if you aren't accepted. Get away for a while," Dad said.
"Thanks dad. Let's open it up."
Dear Sir or Ma'am: We regret to
I folded it up, and went inside.
Maybe I could learn something mechanical from the local college, and try to win Wessinh back?
It was going to drive me crazy though. At least if I went to Oxford I could experience a little bit of my dream second time.
Ethereal was the common language of just about everyone on earth. I mostly understood Sutchas.
"There still maybe time to apply to a different program."
I had applied in a fusion program covering inter-species diplomacy, trade and economics, but it was only halfway to what I wanted to study.
Spiritual dynamics was a form of physics very difficult for humans to pursue without their own soul sight, but it was possible. That was a small program at Oxford I could apply to, if I could just get back to England fast enough.
*
It was a simple matter for Father to give me some funds and rush me to the aero field. Crappy weather made me increasingly nervous as we went further and further east.
We refueled briefly in Lenape nation, and then went out over the ocean. It felt like we made good time, compensating for early slowness, but when we arrived in London, the fog was so thick no one would fly out.
I looked for alternatives but the horseless carriage was still too rare and expensive. Designers were struggling to meet the pollution standards of the Ethereals, and the only Carriages on the road were electrically powered.
A day later I finally took an air ship to Oxford.
*
"All programs have accepted their students, as of two days ago, admissions is closed until next year," the clerk in a nearly empty admissions office told me.
Weather. If the weather had just cooperated.
At least I had a few months of funds to live in the city, and keep my eyes opened.
*
Atliero Numat stumbled at the brightness of the human in front of him. There was no single standard for soul colors, but in this case, what the Benevolents called 'Soar' seemed appropriate for the boy.
Soar tended to get dragged down by a sort of spiritual gravity, but this boy had dealt with several knocks lately, and still he was looking, hoping, faithful. Soaring above the clouds.
Everyone's synesthesia regarding souls was different but to Numat, the boy was bright yellow. Blindingly plain yellow, no subtlety in the color.
He would find a way to stumble upon the boy again. The training program might find use for such a person.
__
Loosely inspired by Up, and early positive feeling science fiction. I wrote a few chapters but I want to revise them like I did the first chapter if I continue this.
Sisters Cultivation 1
- Location
- Michigan
I wrote this initially as an outline of the different paths the two sisters took in the early days of cultivation, but then it became a story outright after, with a lot of twists and turns A little weird this way, but I might actually fill in the outline parts later.
Anne's inconsistent gender is deliberate. Anne's not sure either way yet.
Anna, Lucille mirrored forms:
1st mirrored form <Mortal Realm>
—-
Anna - renouncing Uncle's authority, is assisted by his staff and gains a technique to pretend to be male and join the Heavenly Sword Sect, which is men only.
Heavenly Sword Sect
Lucille
Lucille doesn't recognize Anna at first. Anna doesn't recognize Lucille at first. Anna is posing as Ande, a man, and has a grizzled look. She has improved her gender concealing glamour over the years. She looks muscular, rustic, poor and a bit underfed.
Lucille has become a beautiful woman, a maiden of society. Her fiancée showers her with gifts, and she knows how to act the part of high society.
"Hello Senior Brother, the Rose Blossom Sect welcomes your Heavenly Sword Sect," Lucille said.
"Senior Sister, this one is a mere Junior Brother of the Outer Sect."
"I am also an Outer Sect sister on assignment with the Yachting Society. We are going back on tour in two weeks,"
"Am I talking to Lucille Onahni?" Anna asked.
She was tempted to undo her glamour, but she saw another man approaching. The captain of the ship they were on, The Most Worthwhile Journey.
"I'm sorry, how do you know me?" Lucille asked delicately, as Captain David slid her arm around her arm.
"It's been a long time. You really have become dashing. Oh, don't worry captain, I'm her brother," Anna said.
Lucille was taken aback by that. She really hadn't recognized her. That made sense.
"What was the altar for at Uncle's house?" Lucille asked.
Instantly she responded, knowing the answer, "It was an altar to our parents. They ascended to a higher realm when we were just a few years old."
"Is he your brother?" David asked.
"I knew he went off to the Sword sect, but he looks like such a wildman now. He was more suave back in the day," Lucille said.
"Sword sects are brutal places, that's why my parents didn't want me to go. I spent a few years studying the business with dad, and practiced my sword on the weekends. I'm sure your brother has survived a lot of honor duels and training fights gone wrong," David said.
"Anyway, David, this is Ande, my brother. Ande, this is David, my fiancee, I was wondering how I was ever going to get you two to meet," Lucille said.
~~~~
Anna became a surprise connection between the Heavenly Sword Sect and Sailing High Society. She became a representative and Sword trainer onboard. Her long years of mortal practice made her a great trainer for the families,
Her most frequent sparring partner was David of course. Most of the other martial artists prefered blades or bows.
<€>
The Hawthorne yacht, managed by David Hawthorne, had set anchor on a day of calm pale seas and open skies.
"Ande", remained onboard The Most Worthwhile Journey, as the Hawthorne family and guests went over to the Jennings's family Yacht.
Her sword and sheath were immaculate. She had learned a little of Lucille's art of decorum, she had several new outfits courtesy of the Hawthorns.
She didn't recognize the woman leaning on the railing of the ship, looking out at the sea.
"Beautiful out here, isn't it." Said the girl, and then took the purple staff and waved the staff.
Icicles formed in the air, and then were shattered by a strong blast of lightning.
"I don't know much about elementalism, but that's impressive," Ande said.
"I have seen some impressive swordsmen, show me your display, sir?"
"I am only a Junior swordsman, milady. I will try."
The shadows of her Sword appeared in an instant as the sword was drawn in one motion. Extending as far as twenty feet from her sword, they began to condense at the base of the sword, becoming a solid iron blade in front of the actual sword.
"You have begun to form the higher elemental essence of Iron. My turn."
Vines sprouted in the sky forming lattices around nothing, then something invisible consumed them leaving spots where pure blackness radiated.
"Life and Void."
The fixed version of Leafeater's Grace included a good practice routine.
—
Ande's swordplay had an oddly calming aspect to it. Unlike the jagged violent sharply aggressive sword of most of his peers, Ande's sword intent was graceful and beautiful.
The rest of the party were coming back to the Hawthorne yacht for cocktails, and the movement of sword immediately stopped.
Ande shook it off after a moment and sheathed her sword.
*
David and Lucille seemed more interested in settling down than advancing in cultivation.
Anna promised to stop by and see them in a few years. She wanted to travel and explore the world, and refine her swordsmanship.
The girl she had met was from the Golden Staff Sect. Jesse had an upcoming contract with a mercenary army, if Ande was interested in joining as well.
Lucille and David were planning on returning to land, so she said goodbye and left the ship with Jessie.
*
David was shocked when their new home was attacked by skilled robber-cultivators. His sweet, kind wife Lucille was a good fighter, using the fan that was her signature as a weapon to take them down.
David resumed his cultivation and trained with her, but they wanted to work together with her sister next time she was in town.
*
Ande didn't expect to just be put in with the regular army, she was worried about stalling out at Peak Shadows stage sword cultivation.
Jessie was in the special mage's division and making 5x his pay.
Most of the regular army men were mortal or shadows equivalent weapon users. The archer division provided extra ranger support.
They moved from the employer to employer, often working for 3 months and taking a month to travel and a month off.
They had even been employee by a Guild of merchants, but when a single family hired the mercenary army for two weeks, Ande knew something was up.
He was not high enough rank to find out what family, but he realized it was David's family as they inspected the army at parade rest.
He was never singled out during the two weeks. Jessie was hired on at a considerable additional fee paid to the army and Ande continued with the army for six months more until his original promise of 5 years was completed.
He tended his resignation with honor but found no respect inside his heart for the organization.
It was with mixed feelings that he returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect. He didn't have to wait in line, the Sect's provost came out to meet him.
"You are at a flashpoint, take a single step further and you will be a Shimnering Sword cultivator. You need to go through trials to prepare you for the Shimmering test."
She was lead away to an opulent villa and in the morning lead to a dueling arena.
"This is a simulation of the Shimering test."
21 seconds she lasted. 45 seconds. 19 seconds.
What she expected to be a day or two became the year of Trying Trials. She sparred with other sect members during the in between time, establishing her ranking in the Local Sect as #245. Junior Brother of the Inner Sect.
&@$
David and Lucille had a Daughter, named Lucy.
They were still looking for Ande. They didn't find her despite hiring her army.
Jessie couldn't explain what happened except they were in different units and didn't see each other.
Lucy was a beautiful baby girl and they insisted on spending a lot of time with her. Many wealthy people they knew barely spent any time with their kids.
*
There was something emotional and psychological or even spiritual blocking her advancement. All three Doctors of Cultivation medicine in the Sect agreed.
She went into her first Deep Seclusion to determine her heart.
^
Lucille advanced to the Golden Heart Transformation stage of Fan / Etiquette cultivation.
David's branch family consisting of the 3 of them was upgraded to 3rd grade family from unranked. Between David's lineage & administration and Lucille's supernatural social skills they were the bright star of the mid sized city they set up in, but Lucille missed Anna.
An expensive search was undergone to find her sister. Eventually they discovered she was in a 5 year seclusion as Ande at her old sect.
They sadly requested a notice when she emerged.
*^
Her days in the army had thoroughly hammered in Yang mentality. Be a Junior and get crushed or risk everything to make it to the top and demand respect. Her style was crushing and forceful, taking charge at the front of a battle line where grace was pointless.
She had a precipice to go down. Either acknowledge openly that she's a woman and be expelled by the sect and blackmarked by all sword sects. Or accept that she had performed as a man and had no problem with that for now. Eventually the problem would re-emerge.
She wanted to make the dreamy choice, but years had drilled practicality into her. And she was stuck and afraid.
*
Lucille and David had a son. They named him David after dad. Jr. Was very calm for being a little kid. Anna was still in seclusion.
*
The third choice: why do we have to be binary. Neither will I perform masculine or feminine but merely none of your business ium.
It didn't give the easy satisfaction but her sword style was at times rude and violent, and others gentle and swirling .
Shimmering swords took the focus and intensity and iron and made the sword flexible and shimmery,
The earliest sword dao attacks allowed magnifying one's sword into a shimmered larger version.
The viscious gentle mean soft attacks destroyed tests.
She was thrown out of the sect as an indefinite being, but they didn't inform the other sects or the Empire.
Sectless, Shimmering Sword cultivator
Fine by her.
She wandered, performing duties far below her power level without a care.
*
She had reached a level only the Rose Blossom's sect leader was at. Diamond Tiara Cultivation. She had a son and a daughter. David Jr was at home while her daughter went off to the Rose Blossom Sect.
One day, she woke up and realized there was some new <thing.>
New power unlocked .
Sibling chat.
Talk to your sibling anywhere anytime.
Anne's inconsistent gender is deliberate. Anne's not sure either way yet.
Anna, Lucille mirrored forms:
1st mirrored form <Mortal Realm>
—-
Anna - renouncing Uncle's authority, is assisted by his staff and gains a technique to pretend to be male and join the Heavenly Sword Sect, which is men only.
Heavenly Sword Sect
- Defeated by a mortal Elder
- Mortal battles at the Sect village
- Shadows stage
- I did it the hardest way??
- Favored Families and the Dross
- 4 Training Clans <Dragon, Armor Turtle, Cheetah, Ant>, Ant are the weakest
- Free Cultivation mats of the Ant clan
- Free Cultivation Arts of the Ant clan: Ant Strength, Leafeater Grace, Army Ant
- Learning from the older Ant clan student.
- Flawed formulation of the Leaf Grace
- Gathering of the Cultivation World.
- Lucille reaches 1st realm / Twinned Souls ability opens
- Lucille's link to Anna through Twinned Souls grants her Maiden of Hidden Steel.
Lucille
- Uncle gives an introduction of Lucille to the Rose Blossom Sect.
- 1st year Honors
- Almost losing honors status
- Instruction by the Honors girls.
- Mandatory Session instruction
- Christmas dinner hosted by the 1st years.
- Gentlemen and Etiquette.
- Lucille: Additional Subjects: Combat, Calligraphy, Physical Fitness, Aquatic Sports
- End of 1st year: Sailing Club
- Invitation to a Sail Community Party with David Duveaux on board the Duveaux Yacht.
- 2nd Year: focus on practical situations through hosting and guesting at social events.
- Artistry, Combat, Sailing, Communications, High Society Primer
- Becoming A Beloved Maiden of Sailing Society.
- Winter Weekend with David.
- Assault on Rose Blossom Sect.
- Societies Arrive to protect them, as the Combat club organizes the defense. Lucille is the most respected club member and is widely praised.
- Invitation to Cultivation arts of the Rose Blossom Sect.
- Youngest Inner Sect member.
- Lucille reaches 1st stage of Cultivation. Twinned Souls ability unlocks. Anna gains Warrior of Hidden Grade
- David reveals he is an alumni of the Refining Sword Sect. Retired from the Sect to learn to follow in his father's footsteps and lead his family.
- Rose Blossom Sect liaison to the Sailing Community.
- Lucille travels with the community and a betrothal someday between her and David seems likely.
- YR 5 - Young Woman's Magazine. 'Sailing Princess?'
- YR 11 - interviewed by Society for Yachting's Glossy.
- YR 24 - Certified 1st step achieved in Sect arts: Palpable Charisma.
- YR 35 - Engaged to David
- YR 46 - Beautiful Maiden Status reached. Advanced Fan combat first steps.
- YR 50 - Gathering of the Cultivation world.
Lucille doesn't recognize Anna at first. Anna doesn't recognize Lucille at first. Anna is posing as Ande, a man, and has a grizzled look. She has improved her gender concealing glamour over the years. She looks muscular, rustic, poor and a bit underfed.
Lucille has become a beautiful woman, a maiden of society. Her fiancée showers her with gifts, and she knows how to act the part of high society.
"Hello Senior Brother, the Rose Blossom Sect welcomes your Heavenly Sword Sect," Lucille said.
"Senior Sister, this one is a mere Junior Brother of the Outer Sect."
"I am also an Outer Sect sister on assignment with the Yachting Society. We are going back on tour in two weeks,"
"Am I talking to Lucille Onahni?" Anna asked.
She was tempted to undo her glamour, but she saw another man approaching. The captain of the ship they were on, The Most Worthwhile Journey.
"I'm sorry, how do you know me?" Lucille asked delicately, as Captain David slid her arm around her arm.
"It's been a long time. You really have become dashing. Oh, don't worry captain, I'm her brother," Anna said.
Lucille was taken aback by that. She really hadn't recognized her. That made sense.
"What was the altar for at Uncle's house?" Lucille asked.
Instantly she responded, knowing the answer, "It was an altar to our parents. They ascended to a higher realm when we were just a few years old."
"Is he your brother?" David asked.
"I knew he went off to the Sword sect, but he looks like such a wildman now. He was more suave back in the day," Lucille said.
"Sword sects are brutal places, that's why my parents didn't want me to go. I spent a few years studying the business with dad, and practiced my sword on the weekends. I'm sure your brother has survived a lot of honor duels and training fights gone wrong," David said.
"Anyway, David, this is Ande, my brother. Ande, this is David, my fiancee, I was wondering how I was ever going to get you two to meet," Lucille said.
~~~~
Anna became a surprise connection between the Heavenly Sword Sect and Sailing High Society. She became a representative and Sword trainer onboard. Her long years of mortal practice made her a great trainer for the families,
Her most frequent sparring partner was David of course. Most of the other martial artists prefered blades or bows.
<€>
The Hawthorne yacht, managed by David Hawthorne, had set anchor on a day of calm pale seas and open skies.
"Ande", remained onboard The Most Worthwhile Journey, as the Hawthorne family and guests went over to the Jennings's family Yacht.
Her sword and sheath were immaculate. She had learned a little of Lucille's art of decorum, she had several new outfits courtesy of the Hawthorns.
She didn't recognize the woman leaning on the railing of the ship, looking out at the sea.
"Beautiful out here, isn't it." Said the girl, and then took the purple staff and waved the staff.
Icicles formed in the air, and then were shattered by a strong blast of lightning.
"I don't know much about elementalism, but that's impressive," Ande said.
"I have seen some impressive swordsmen, show me your display, sir?"
"I am only a Junior swordsman, milady. I will try."
The shadows of her Sword appeared in an instant as the sword was drawn in one motion. Extending as far as twenty feet from her sword, they began to condense at the base of the sword, becoming a solid iron blade in front of the actual sword.
"You have begun to form the higher elemental essence of Iron. My turn."
Vines sprouted in the sky forming lattices around nothing, then something invisible consumed them leaving spots where pure blackness radiated.
"Life and Void."
The fixed version of Leafeater's Grace included a good practice routine.
—
Ande's swordplay had an oddly calming aspect to it. Unlike the jagged violent sharply aggressive sword of most of his peers, Ande's sword intent was graceful and beautiful.
The rest of the party were coming back to the Hawthorne yacht for cocktails, and the movement of sword immediately stopped.
Ande shook it off after a moment and sheathed her sword.
*
David and Lucille seemed more interested in settling down than advancing in cultivation.
Anna promised to stop by and see them in a few years. She wanted to travel and explore the world, and refine her swordsmanship.
The girl she had met was from the Golden Staff Sect. Jesse had an upcoming contract with a mercenary army, if Ande was interested in joining as well.
Lucille and David were planning on returning to land, so she said goodbye and left the ship with Jessie.
*
David was shocked when their new home was attacked by skilled robber-cultivators. His sweet, kind wife Lucille was a good fighter, using the fan that was her signature as a weapon to take them down.
David resumed his cultivation and trained with her, but they wanted to work together with her sister next time she was in town.
*
Ande didn't expect to just be put in with the regular army, she was worried about stalling out at Peak Shadows stage sword cultivation.
Jessie was in the special mage's division and making 5x his pay.
Most of the regular army men were mortal or shadows equivalent weapon users. The archer division provided extra ranger support.
They moved from the employer to employer, often working for 3 months and taking a month to travel and a month off.
They had even been employee by a Guild of merchants, but when a single family hired the mercenary army for two weeks, Ande knew something was up.
He was not high enough rank to find out what family, but he realized it was David's family as they inspected the army at parade rest.
He was never singled out during the two weeks. Jessie was hired on at a considerable additional fee paid to the army and Ande continued with the army for six months more until his original promise of 5 years was completed.
He tended his resignation with honor but found no respect inside his heart for the organization.
It was with mixed feelings that he returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect. He didn't have to wait in line, the Sect's provost came out to meet him.
"You are at a flashpoint, take a single step further and you will be a Shimnering Sword cultivator. You need to go through trials to prepare you for the Shimmering test."
She was lead away to an opulent villa and in the morning lead to a dueling arena.
"This is a simulation of the Shimering test."
21 seconds she lasted. 45 seconds. 19 seconds.
What she expected to be a day or two became the year of Trying Trials. She sparred with other sect members during the in between time, establishing her ranking in the Local Sect as #245. Junior Brother of the Inner Sect.
&@$
David and Lucille had a Daughter, named Lucy.
They were still looking for Ande. They didn't find her despite hiring her army.
Jessie couldn't explain what happened except they were in different units and didn't see each other.
Lucy was a beautiful baby girl and they insisted on spending a lot of time with her. Many wealthy people they knew barely spent any time with their kids.
*
There was something emotional and psychological or even spiritual blocking her advancement. All three Doctors of Cultivation medicine in the Sect agreed.
She went into her first Deep Seclusion to determine her heart.
^
Lucille advanced to the Golden Heart Transformation stage of Fan / Etiquette cultivation.
David's branch family consisting of the 3 of them was upgraded to 3rd grade family from unranked. Between David's lineage & administration and Lucille's supernatural social skills they were the bright star of the mid sized city they set up in, but Lucille missed Anna.
An expensive search was undergone to find her sister. Eventually they discovered she was in a 5 year seclusion as Ande at her old sect.
They sadly requested a notice when she emerged.
*^
Her days in the army had thoroughly hammered in Yang mentality. Be a Junior and get crushed or risk everything to make it to the top and demand respect. Her style was crushing and forceful, taking charge at the front of a battle line where grace was pointless.
She had a precipice to go down. Either acknowledge openly that she's a woman and be expelled by the sect and blackmarked by all sword sects. Or accept that she had performed as a man and had no problem with that for now. Eventually the problem would re-emerge.
She wanted to make the dreamy choice, but years had drilled practicality into her. And she was stuck and afraid.
*
Lucille and David had a son. They named him David after dad. Jr. Was very calm for being a little kid. Anna was still in seclusion.
*
The third choice: why do we have to be binary. Neither will I perform masculine or feminine but merely none of your business ium.
It didn't give the easy satisfaction but her sword style was at times rude and violent, and others gentle and swirling .
Shimmering swords took the focus and intensity and iron and made the sword flexible and shimmery,
The earliest sword dao attacks allowed magnifying one's sword into a shimmered larger version.
The viscious gentle mean soft attacks destroyed tests.
She was thrown out of the sect as an indefinite being, but they didn't inform the other sects or the Empire.
Sectless, Shimmering Sword cultivator
Fine by her.
She wandered, performing duties far below her power level without a care.
*
She had reached a level only the Rose Blossom's sect leader was at. Diamond Tiara Cultivation. She had a son and a daughter. David Jr was at home while her daughter went off to the Rose Blossom Sect.
One day, she woke up and realized there was some new <thing.>
New power unlocked .
Sibling chat.
Talk to your sibling anywhere anytime.
Sisters 2
- Location
- Michigan
L: Hey where are you?
L: it doesn't matter I just want to talk.
L: it's not about the fancy things, our daughter Lucy wants to meet you. She's at Rose blossom sect right now.
A: I'm a loose cultivator. Not he or her, I was stuck at the peak of Iron Sword cultivation until I resolved all the Yang habits from the sect and the army. I'm not presenting as female just non-identifying. I go by An now.
L: maybe sword cultivation wasn't the right choice, it's been hard on you.
A: it's my path now. Maybe I'll wander over to your neck of the woods one of these years.
**
L: David's reached mid-Iron tier swording. We'd love to hire you as a tutor. Where are you now?
A: In the south. I've been an independent auxiliary of the Lysose army resisting the Giants invading. 2nd step in Shimmering Sword.
^^
A: I'm in Central Lysose. Getting work when I can. Otherwise I just help out and travel.
L: Our son has taken over day to day responsibility while we are in seclusion. David still would like to train with you.
A: What does seclusion look like for a princess of etiquette?
L: it's good to step back from Public life to reflect on the difference between true Grace and manners, and performance and fitting in.
^>~
An looked at the impressive artwork that was the Hawthorne family garden.
"Sir, the Master and Lady of the House are indisposed. May I take a message?"
"I might settle in this city unless a major situation pulls me elsewhere. — An"
"Thank you, I'll deliver that."
*
An didn't have the wealth to buy property in Lucille's neighborhood. But she had enough savings to set up elsewhere in town. The lower level of her house became her business as she established the center for weapons training particularly in Swords and Blades. She picked up a Blade for the first time in thirty years.
Her first customers she compensated as she learned how to project levels of might from Mortal Beginner up to Iron early stage.
She didn't know Lucille's son David jr when he stopped in to check out her business. He didn't know her. It was easy to assume the proprietor was male, but An's press publication was neutral, and her dress was an androgynous martial attire.
"I'm surprised an individual practice was set up here. There's so much more profitable work to be done."
An responded, "Without connections, most of the opportunities are lower pay for high risk. I was tired of traveling, and some family members are in seclusion right now, so I'm waiting for them."
"My parents are in seclusion. Anyway, I'll take some blade training."
<>
"No offense mister, but we'd do better just practicing as overtly Blade vs Sword. Your style is unmistakably sword influenced."
"It's been 30 years. My apologies. We can just spar a bit. What's the equivalent of Shimmering sword cultivation in Blades?"
"Blade Will Mastery. I'm still a late stage Blade expression cultivator."
<>
In the absence of his parents, David and Lucy put on a grand gala at the family estate.
David invited Mr. An to the party.
Their spars and An's helpful advice were a wonderful distraction from all of his father's work that was now his responsibility.
Staff still needed to be reviewed, Fired or given a raise, and grounds maintained. Business projects in the city were maintained and new ones came up.
"It's becoming more expensive to live even in my part of town. This city is truly becoming a wonder because of your family Mr. Hawthorne," An said.
The Swordsman's suit she wore was black with pink highlights, slightly effeminate.
"Would you be willing to meet me and my staff at our family business center on Monday?"
"Not a problem."
An was amused when David offered her a job. It was now clear she had been training with her nephew. The dinner party had answered her suspicions.
Of course she accepted the offer. Signed: An Onahni.
"You're nothing like my mom, Uncle An.?"
"I'm actually your aunt, but women are not accepted by sword sects. So I pretended. I pretended long enough to cause myself a problem. But now I don't try to act female or male."
"So are you stronger than my dad?"
"You and your father have heavy responsibilities in leading the family. Your way should be different than that of someone who pursues the sword full time. Ultimately you'll have to decide in your heart where to place Blade cultivation and administrative works for your family. No pressure can cause you to freely do something. And unfree actions eventually block your Dao. I went through that and I'm not quite free yet."
<>
The Sword Cultivator An did more for the Hawthorne family than they expected. The family had someone to send as their contribution when crises came up. The invasion of Lao'sung was attended by An, representing the senior cultivator of the branch family. The Hawthorne regiment was a very significant force. An picked up pointers from her fellows in other cadet branches.
The second mission that called her away was the death of the emperor and coronation of the crown prince. A 4th stage shimmering sword cultivator wasn't much at the Empire conclave but An's presence helped bring her branch family of Hawthorne to 2nd grade overall status. David's branch gained much while its principals were in seclusion.
David Jr was highly lauded by the main Hawthorne family, but when David Sr was woken with his wife, to receive appropriate resources for their new status, Sr was upset.
"You designated the senior-most cultivator of this family, who served twice as martial representative and soldier of the branch, as an Assistant (teaching). Even if An wasn't a family member, you should have given them Family Elder status, pay and privileges."
But A was used to low pay and no recognition for her work. She had long since sold her house as the city became too expensive for her to live in. She had a small room of her own, on the family property.
David taught his son, "Honor those who do more. Be known as a recognizer of the precious people, cultivate people with the same rigors that you cultivate your blade."
So A became Wife's family Honored Member. That was an official name of an award and rank.
David bought up a neighboring home and paid for it to be outfitted and An and whomever she Wished to share a home with had the use of the place.
She even had a two person staff and a chef when she didn't eat at the main estate.
<>
It was nice to get out of seclusion, and back to society. Lucille met her nemesis, a cultivator who used etiquette to gain every advantage and skate by when people were too polite to do anything.
She invited the lady to her house and kept her happy with a string of gifts and amenities. She was completely sweet and light.
David's director of Security monitored the woman discretely. Lucille found her suspicions correct. The woman was a widow and found her access to polite society lost until she adopted this braggocoous style.
After she offered the lady a choice between a job at her estate or a fan blade out of dodge, Lucille became the problem solver in the local society.
L: it doesn't matter I just want to talk.
L: it's not about the fancy things, our daughter Lucy wants to meet you. She's at Rose blossom sect right now.
A: I'm a loose cultivator. Not he or her, I was stuck at the peak of Iron Sword cultivation until I resolved all the Yang habits from the sect and the army. I'm not presenting as female just non-identifying. I go by An now.
L: maybe sword cultivation wasn't the right choice, it's been hard on you.
A: it's my path now. Maybe I'll wander over to your neck of the woods one of these years.
**
L: David's reached mid-Iron tier swording. We'd love to hire you as a tutor. Where are you now?
A: In the south. I've been an independent auxiliary of the Lysose army resisting the Giants invading. 2nd step in Shimmering Sword.
^^
A: I'm in Central Lysose. Getting work when I can. Otherwise I just help out and travel.
L: Our son has taken over day to day responsibility while we are in seclusion. David still would like to train with you.
A: What does seclusion look like for a princess of etiquette?
L: it's good to step back from Public life to reflect on the difference between true Grace and manners, and performance and fitting in.
^>~
An looked at the impressive artwork that was the Hawthorne family garden.
"Sir, the Master and Lady of the House are indisposed. May I take a message?"
"I might settle in this city unless a major situation pulls me elsewhere. — An"
"Thank you, I'll deliver that."
*
An didn't have the wealth to buy property in Lucille's neighborhood. But she had enough savings to set up elsewhere in town. The lower level of her house became her business as she established the center for weapons training particularly in Swords and Blades. She picked up a Blade for the first time in thirty years.
Her first customers she compensated as she learned how to project levels of might from Mortal Beginner up to Iron early stage.
She didn't know Lucille's son David jr when he stopped in to check out her business. He didn't know her. It was easy to assume the proprietor was male, but An's press publication was neutral, and her dress was an androgynous martial attire.
"I'm surprised an individual practice was set up here. There's so much more profitable work to be done."
An responded, "Without connections, most of the opportunities are lower pay for high risk. I was tired of traveling, and some family members are in seclusion right now, so I'm waiting for them."
"My parents are in seclusion. Anyway, I'll take some blade training."
<>
"No offense mister, but we'd do better just practicing as overtly Blade vs Sword. Your style is unmistakably sword influenced."
"It's been 30 years. My apologies. We can just spar a bit. What's the equivalent of Shimmering sword cultivation in Blades?"
"Blade Will Mastery. I'm still a late stage Blade expression cultivator."
<>
In the absence of his parents, David and Lucy put on a grand gala at the family estate.
David invited Mr. An to the party.
Their spars and An's helpful advice were a wonderful distraction from all of his father's work that was now his responsibility.
Staff still needed to be reviewed, Fired or given a raise, and grounds maintained. Business projects in the city were maintained and new ones came up.
"It's becoming more expensive to live even in my part of town. This city is truly becoming a wonder because of your family Mr. Hawthorne," An said.
The Swordsman's suit she wore was black with pink highlights, slightly effeminate.
"Would you be willing to meet me and my staff at our family business center on Monday?"
"Not a problem."
An was amused when David offered her a job. It was now clear she had been training with her nephew. The dinner party had answered her suspicions.
Of course she accepted the offer. Signed: An Onahni.
"You're nothing like my mom, Uncle An.?"
"I'm actually your aunt, but women are not accepted by sword sects. So I pretended. I pretended long enough to cause myself a problem. But now I don't try to act female or male."
"So are you stronger than my dad?"
"You and your father have heavy responsibilities in leading the family. Your way should be different than that of someone who pursues the sword full time. Ultimately you'll have to decide in your heart where to place Blade cultivation and administrative works for your family. No pressure can cause you to freely do something. And unfree actions eventually block your Dao. I went through that and I'm not quite free yet."
<>
The Sword Cultivator An did more for the Hawthorne family than they expected. The family had someone to send as their contribution when crises came up. The invasion of Lao'sung was attended by An, representing the senior cultivator of the branch family. The Hawthorne regiment was a very significant force. An picked up pointers from her fellows in other cadet branches.
The second mission that called her away was the death of the emperor and coronation of the crown prince. A 4th stage shimmering sword cultivator wasn't much at the Empire conclave but An's presence helped bring her branch family of Hawthorne to 2nd grade overall status. David's branch gained much while its principals were in seclusion.
David Jr was highly lauded by the main Hawthorne family, but when David Sr was woken with his wife, to receive appropriate resources for their new status, Sr was upset.
"You designated the senior-most cultivator of this family, who served twice as martial representative and soldier of the branch, as an Assistant (teaching). Even if An wasn't a family member, you should have given them Family Elder status, pay and privileges."
But A was used to low pay and no recognition for her work. She had long since sold her house as the city became too expensive for her to live in. She had a small room of her own, on the family property.
David taught his son, "Honor those who do more. Be known as a recognizer of the precious people, cultivate people with the same rigors that you cultivate your blade."
So A became Wife's family Honored Member. That was an official name of an award and rank.
David bought up a neighboring home and paid for it to be outfitted and An and whomever she Wished to share a home with had the use of the place.
She even had a two person staff and a chef when she didn't eat at the main estate.
<>
It was nice to get out of seclusion, and back to society. Lucille met her nemesis, a cultivator who used etiquette to gain every advantage and skate by when people were too polite to do anything.
She invited the lady to her house and kept her happy with a string of gifts and amenities. She was completely sweet and light.
David's director of Security monitored the woman discretely. Lucille found her suspicions correct. The woman was a widow and found her access to polite society lost until she adopted this braggocoous style.
After she offered the lady a choice between a job at her estate or a fan blade out of dodge, Lucille became the problem solver in the local society.
Sisters 3
- Location
- Michigan
An was now in a position and status to attend social events, but that society was very gender stratified. There was no in-between.
After chatting with David and Lucille, an found it easiest to present as a refined gentleman. The consensus was the people focused on cultivation and weapons should be either young women before marriage or men of any age.
So An went to her first society dinner in 55 years. No one knew their family around here so they could get away with claiming Lucille had a brother.
Lucille was a pro, introducing David sr, jr and An.
"My brother's been in a Sword sect, as well as the 7th Expeditionary Army, he's still getting reacquainted with our society."
From that day forward An worked on his decorum, remaining a Swordsman but being a steady training partner for David sr and jr and serving as senior cultivator of the branch when required.
For a long time he didn't show interest in anything more. The journey to Peak Shimmering Sword cultivator was a long one, and he wasn't often pushing himself to that utmost level.
When he met Tim, he found something uniquely familiar, someone gifted with swords who was not part of that strongly Yang style.
He began to define his An style and teach it to Tim, who was early shadow swording.
Tim's mother Julia was 82, just 24 years younger than An, and they became friends as well.
An invited Tim and Julia to stay at his house. David was pleased and approved the new residents.
David Jr had started over in Swords and was now an early Iron cultivator while Sr was 1st step Shimmering.
They were a growing Mecca of Sword cultivation in the region with regular visiting swordsmen.
An had refined her style and was 13th step shimmering cultivator.
<>
Both David senior and A were called away to a serious military confrontation at sea. Lucille invited Julia over often. The woman only had twenty years perhaps to live, her son would live for hundreds of years but she was not a cultivator.
The war might well keep their men for ten years.
<>
When David Jr was called away by the Main Family, Lucille was worried.
When he returned with An, they were carrying a casket.
"Mom, I'm being told our branch is being folded into the main one. My third cousin is marrying me."
The woman married her son, to take control? As a widow, Lucille would only have a minor interest in the family.
"The war is still going on. Will you go show them what a polite queen of fans can really do?"
()
They took care of Tim and Julia and bought a new house that Lucille's daughter could stay at too. The settlement with the Hawthornes made Lucille an Onahni once more.
Though their styles were completely different Lucille learned a lot from how An looked at battle. She upgraded her fan throughout this period as she became a Battle Maiden in truth.
When the war was resolved, Lucille's charismatic way and prestige got them an honored position in another city.
Julia, Tim, An and Lucille moved to the city,
Lucille didn't know the names of these high levels of Etiquette cultivation, but she'd broken through a new boundary.
As part of their assignment Lucille and An worked close to home.
Julia died at 93 years old, and Lucille counted herself proud to be family.
Life moved on, Lucille agreed to became an Elder of the Rose blossom sect and Tim began traveling with An.
"We will stay in touch."
<>
An established a traveling school of Swords.
Those who joined followed them as they worked on various assignments.
Tim regarded his adoptive father warmly. He had never expected the Sword cultivator to be like this.
The school settled for as six months while A prepared for breaking through to Elemental Sword cultivation.
<>
The Rose Blossom sect's cultivation list was more of a tree. Lucille was the most advanced combat Professor of the sect.
Teaching combat to young ladies who might not need it was satisfying, if they did need it they really need it,
<>
The school grew in the decade An was in seclusion. Men and a few women had stayed while the school stopped traveling.
Tim was sparring with one of the newer students.
An had shown signs of being a bit different than they said, when their guard wasn't up.
It took a minute to recognize An.
"Everyone gather up."
Kids and adults alike, sparring and practicing stopped as everyone gathered.
"I was born a girl, Anna was my name. I grew up knowing that Swords were a male weapon, too rough for the fairer sex. But the first time I tried a sword I knew I had to find a way. So I cut off my hair and pretended to be a man since then.
An's normal sword routine commenced but gleaming light stuck to her blade and flashed. The light gathered and loosed as she maneuvered.
It was weird that his mom's boyfriend was actually a woman but it was only An that gave him a chance to live a longer life than his mom.
<>
Lo: They've made me an emeritus teacher, I teach a quarter of the mandatory sessions plus all of the advanced combat.
Ao: I went back to calling myself Anne. 140 years later. Reached Elemental Sword cultivation. Only the few girls at my school and Tim are left.
Lo: I may have an idea.
Ao: come back to the Rose blossom sect to see:
<>
Rose Blossom Addendum for Violent Girls?
Anne had to go through the full first year Rose blossom sect program before she could teach.
Her sister was a saint to do this.
Lucille was a teacher so she had a house on Sect property and Tim was able to stay with them and pursue their own interests.
The first years dinner party, Anna remembered hearing her sister talk about this. Her ability to change appearance at Elemental Sword cultivation was substantial. She looked much like the other girls, and her sword sheath was enchanted to look like a closed umbrella at first glance.
<>
Headmaster Wynn examined the first year ladies and their hosting job. Of course any of the teachers could find many improvements that could be many, but it was adequate for the firsties.
The new students of the addendum made their umbrellas look quite the fashion.
She turned to the invited guests. Many were alumni and their spouses or adult children. A few were local gentlemen and ladies.
One of the men seemed interested in Teacher Ohnani's sister. Too interested. The very offense against etiquette lead to the headmaster to react. But Miss Ohnani's umbrella was now a sword pointed at him.
The spell the man had attempted to cast backfired.
How do you react when a guest crosses the line? Swiftly and with respect to the other guests.
She took the man and brought him back to her office with host magic.
Later she talked to Teacher Ohnani. "How strong is your sister?"
"I look at her the way most teachers look at me. She's way better. She protected my husbands family honoring their cultivator service requirement. She'll protect the Sect too."
<>
Lucille acted as Special Administrator of the Addendum while Anna was its first teacher. Tim even became a trainer-assistant.
The addendum was quite small but word of mouth gradually increased its size.
<>
"There is no shortcut to advancement in the Sword. As these sparring sessions continue and you practice in your own time, some of you will find shadows following your sword.
After much dedication, shadows begin to collapse into an aura of Iron around the sword, which makes attacks stronger.
About shimmering and Elemental sword cultivation, if anybody reaches such heights you have accomplished more than almost all men who choose the sword.
The sword strikes. The sword protects. Remember both."
()
"Forgive me, milady," the stranger said.
Wynn was suspicious of the sword wielding man. "It is I who should apologize. Our sect and all Orange Blossom Land is restricted to women only."
"Do you have a she-sworder?"
"Excuse me?"
"A woman who uses the Sword. I would like to see her."
" I will bring them out to see you."
She used her fan teleportation to go to the addendum and explain the situation.
The new sword trainees insisted on coming with Anne Ohnani.
Anna stared at the strange man and he stared back.
The man's sword moved and an afterimage was left.
Anna parried the strike easily. The man struck again and again, but Anna resisted each strike, and finally responded with her own. Her sword contained flowing waters and the man was tossed and cut like a violent wave crashing upon him.
He barely began to stand when Anna landed her final strike turning her blade to knock him unconscious instead of dead.
She turned, can we return the gift? His sect really shouldn't have.
Anna's students watched as she left.
<>
During the 3 years of the addendum 13 swordsman got offended by she-swording and were stopped. Tim stopped two of them. Anna's students stopped 2 more, and she dealt with the other 9.
Wynn was going into semi-retirement and asked Lucille to take her place. She didn't expect her to decline,
"We would never take away your students, but we are starting fresh. With our new Graceful Sword and Fan sect."
"Let's stay in touch. There may be a few pointers I can share."
"I expect us to be invited to socials about, never." Lucille said. "You've seen the reaction to the addendum. We won't be entirely women. My sisters path shows me that if a man wants to try the fan etiquette path so be it."
After chatting with David and Lucille, an found it easiest to present as a refined gentleman. The consensus was the people focused on cultivation and weapons should be either young women before marriage or men of any age.
So An went to her first society dinner in 55 years. No one knew their family around here so they could get away with claiming Lucille had a brother.
Lucille was a pro, introducing David sr, jr and An.
"My brother's been in a Sword sect, as well as the 7th Expeditionary Army, he's still getting reacquainted with our society."
From that day forward An worked on his decorum, remaining a Swordsman but being a steady training partner for David sr and jr and serving as senior cultivator of the branch when required.
For a long time he didn't show interest in anything more. The journey to Peak Shimmering Sword cultivator was a long one, and he wasn't often pushing himself to that utmost level.
When he met Tim, he found something uniquely familiar, someone gifted with swords who was not part of that strongly Yang style.
He began to define his An style and teach it to Tim, who was early shadow swording.
Tim's mother Julia was 82, just 24 years younger than An, and they became friends as well.
An invited Tim and Julia to stay at his house. David was pleased and approved the new residents.
David Jr had started over in Swords and was now an early Iron cultivator while Sr was 1st step Shimmering.
They were a growing Mecca of Sword cultivation in the region with regular visiting swordsmen.
An had refined her style and was 13th step shimmering cultivator.
<>
Both David senior and A were called away to a serious military confrontation at sea. Lucille invited Julia over often. The woman only had twenty years perhaps to live, her son would live for hundreds of years but she was not a cultivator.
The war might well keep their men for ten years.
<>
When David Jr was called away by the Main Family, Lucille was worried.
When he returned with An, they were carrying a casket.
"Mom, I'm being told our branch is being folded into the main one. My third cousin is marrying me."
The woman married her son, to take control? As a widow, Lucille would only have a minor interest in the family.
"The war is still going on. Will you go show them what a polite queen of fans can really do?"
()
They took care of Tim and Julia and bought a new house that Lucille's daughter could stay at too. The settlement with the Hawthornes made Lucille an Onahni once more.
Though their styles were completely different Lucille learned a lot from how An looked at battle. She upgraded her fan throughout this period as she became a Battle Maiden in truth.
When the war was resolved, Lucille's charismatic way and prestige got them an honored position in another city.
Julia, Tim, An and Lucille moved to the city,
Lucille didn't know the names of these high levels of Etiquette cultivation, but she'd broken through a new boundary.
As part of their assignment Lucille and An worked close to home.
Julia died at 93 years old, and Lucille counted herself proud to be family.
Life moved on, Lucille agreed to became an Elder of the Rose blossom sect and Tim began traveling with An.
"We will stay in touch."
<>
An established a traveling school of Swords.
Those who joined followed them as they worked on various assignments.
Tim regarded his adoptive father warmly. He had never expected the Sword cultivator to be like this.
The school settled for as six months while A prepared for breaking through to Elemental Sword cultivation.
<>
The Rose Blossom sect's cultivation list was more of a tree. Lucille was the most advanced combat Professor of the sect.
Teaching combat to young ladies who might not need it was satisfying, if they did need it they really need it,
<>
The school grew in the decade An was in seclusion. Men and a few women had stayed while the school stopped traveling.
Tim was sparring with one of the newer students.
An had shown signs of being a bit different than they said, when their guard wasn't up.
It took a minute to recognize An.
"Everyone gather up."
Kids and adults alike, sparring and practicing stopped as everyone gathered.
"I was born a girl, Anna was my name. I grew up knowing that Swords were a male weapon, too rough for the fairer sex. But the first time I tried a sword I knew I had to find a way. So I cut off my hair and pretended to be a man since then.
An's normal sword routine commenced but gleaming light stuck to her blade and flashed. The light gathered and loosed as she maneuvered.
It was weird that his mom's boyfriend was actually a woman but it was only An that gave him a chance to live a longer life than his mom.
<>
Lo: They've made me an emeritus teacher, I teach a quarter of the mandatory sessions plus all of the advanced combat.
Ao: I went back to calling myself Anne. 140 years later. Reached Elemental Sword cultivation. Only the few girls at my school and Tim are left.
Lo: I may have an idea.
Ao: come back to the Rose blossom sect to see:
<>
Rose Blossom Addendum for Violent Girls?
Anne had to go through the full first year Rose blossom sect program before she could teach.
Her sister was a saint to do this.
Lucille was a teacher so she had a house on Sect property and Tim was able to stay with them and pursue their own interests.
The first years dinner party, Anna remembered hearing her sister talk about this. Her ability to change appearance at Elemental Sword cultivation was substantial. She looked much like the other girls, and her sword sheath was enchanted to look like a closed umbrella at first glance.
<>
Headmaster Wynn examined the first year ladies and their hosting job. Of course any of the teachers could find many improvements that could be many, but it was adequate for the firsties.
The new students of the addendum made their umbrellas look quite the fashion.
She turned to the invited guests. Many were alumni and their spouses or adult children. A few were local gentlemen and ladies.
One of the men seemed interested in Teacher Ohnani's sister. Too interested. The very offense against etiquette lead to the headmaster to react. But Miss Ohnani's umbrella was now a sword pointed at him.
The spell the man had attempted to cast backfired.
How do you react when a guest crosses the line? Swiftly and with respect to the other guests.
She took the man and brought him back to her office with host magic.
Later she talked to Teacher Ohnani. "How strong is your sister?"
"I look at her the way most teachers look at me. She's way better. She protected my husbands family honoring their cultivator service requirement. She'll protect the Sect too."
<>
Lucille acted as Special Administrator of the Addendum while Anna was its first teacher. Tim even became a trainer-assistant.
The addendum was quite small but word of mouth gradually increased its size.
<>
"There is no shortcut to advancement in the Sword. As these sparring sessions continue and you practice in your own time, some of you will find shadows following your sword.
After much dedication, shadows begin to collapse into an aura of Iron around the sword, which makes attacks stronger.
About shimmering and Elemental sword cultivation, if anybody reaches such heights you have accomplished more than almost all men who choose the sword.
The sword strikes. The sword protects. Remember both."
()
"Forgive me, milady," the stranger said.
Wynn was suspicious of the sword wielding man. "It is I who should apologize. Our sect and all Orange Blossom Land is restricted to women only."
"Do you have a she-sworder?"
"Excuse me?"
"A woman who uses the Sword. I would like to see her."
" I will bring them out to see you."
She used her fan teleportation to go to the addendum and explain the situation.
The new sword trainees insisted on coming with Anne Ohnani.
Anna stared at the strange man and he stared back.
The man's sword moved and an afterimage was left.
Anna parried the strike easily. The man struck again and again, but Anna resisted each strike, and finally responded with her own. Her sword contained flowing waters and the man was tossed and cut like a violent wave crashing upon him.
He barely began to stand when Anna landed her final strike turning her blade to knock him unconscious instead of dead.
She turned, can we return the gift? His sect really shouldn't have.
Anna's students watched as she left.
<>
During the 3 years of the addendum 13 swordsman got offended by she-swording and were stopped. Tim stopped two of them. Anna's students stopped 2 more, and she dealt with the other 9.
Wynn was going into semi-retirement and asked Lucille to take her place. She didn't expect her to decline,
"We would never take away your students, but we are starting fresh. With our new Graceful Sword and Fan sect."
"Let's stay in touch. There may be a few pointers I can share."
"I expect us to be invited to socials about, never." Lucille said. "You've seen the reaction to the addendum. We won't be entirely women. My sisters path shows me that if a man wants to try the fan etiquette path so be it."
Sisters 4
- Location
- Michigan
Their 150th birthday party became the founding day of the Graceful Sword and Fan sect.
The sword memory of Anna's sword was so powerful that it burgeoned into an object spirit a few months ago.
Aida/Aiden had an identity as muddled as Anna's history. The spirit wore golden slacks and a suit that seemed to contain swirling waters and waves. In the next moment; she wore a dress with blue water charms and golden sword charms.
Anna had never studied the Lore of Sword Spirits, only Elders at the sword sects would be taught such things,
Friends and relatives of the addendum students became their first students. Anna was the Elder of Swords, Lucille was the Elder of Fans and Headmaster. Tim was the instructor of Novices. He was going through a crash course with Lucille on fans.
They still needed a Manners teacher, one willing to teach in a new way. Manners for the unconventional you.
They organized the eventual student body into First year sword, first year fan, second year sword and so on. That was for the first 4 years. They would develop inner sect details as things advanced.
<>
The Revered Silver Dragon Reaping Sect was a rarity, a sect would wield the power of a nation, and control over lands...
The reaping sect's Invasion lead to all Sects being ordered to report to the capital city.
Half of their new recruits fled when they were informed they had to go fight in the war.
<>
The assembled sects were many-fold, several sects had thousands of members, there were also sects with dozens of branch sects underneath them.
Assembled clans and families with their subordinates and subordinate organizations also arrived.
Their sect was the tiniest of those reporting by tenfold.
"A small organization would probably just disband," Lucille said.
"We have to classify our members for the government. They use universal power levels. Their stages are: Divine Favor, Manifestation, Opening, Condensing, Flickering and Mortal.
Our new students: one flickering and two mortals. Tim, what stage are you at?"
"Late Iron, so I guess condensing."
"I'm at Rose Unveiling, looks like Opening. Anna?"
"Mid Manifestation."
They had 4 sword cultivators and 2 fan cultivators.
When their little group got to the front of the line, a stern military man of the Owl army looked at the filled in sheet.
"Which one of you is the Manifestation senior?"
Anna spoke up, "Elemental Sword sir. I've been involved in past campaigns under the name An, sir."
"Go to the frontline Seniors camp, sir."
"Your Opening cultivator?"
"That's me; sir . I've developed the Combat fan style beyond.."
"Psych Ops camp please. The rest of you join the main army mega camp."
<>
There were several women in the frontline seniors camp. They were all blade users, and no one asked or thought Anne was anything else.
She stayed in a tent with three other women.
"Refining Blade sect." Said two of them.
"Daughters of the Snow Blade"
"I'm starting a new sect with my sister. We just were founded three months ago and we only have one other instructor and several of the juniors didn't respond to the call."
"There's no need for another blade sect."
"Indeed our daughter's sect is struggling to keep members."
Sighing Anna let Aida emerge from her sword, for whatever reason, only two-thousand year old blade cultivators had blade spirits, while even 150 year old sword cultivators often had a sword spirit.
"It is a new sect that allows for women to become Sword cultivators, as I have done, and men to be fan cultivators if they want. My sister is a Rose blossom graduate, and I passed as a man, and spent part of my time at the Heavenly Sword Sect before I was kicked out."
()
Joining a group where she was a Junior was actually helpful. Her bumpy road to life gave her more stability when things changed and in the army they always do.
Some of these people had an easy path all the way to Opening without many obstacles and stoppages. There were even Divine Favor cultivators at only 350 years old.
Their unit stayed in reserve as the army, strengthened by clan and sect juniors, fought the first waves of the enemy.
The L2 army was composed of Condensing and Opening cultivators. The one L2 had more power and impact against the bulk of the enemy than the 5 regular armies,
The Seniors in the frontline group began to deploy, Anna moved forwards where high-powered ranged attacks were causing large casualties,
"Shut down their elite artillery cultivators."
Anna wouldn't call herself fast, she leapt onto her sword to chase after an artillery Manifestation class cultivator. Despite being the same cultivation stage, it took everything to finally approach the enemy.
She was able to cut down the archer after dodging an arrow, and then struck decisively against a sword cultivator who entered the field of battle.
The enemy swordsman deflected her killing blow,
His aggression was obvious. Deflect and move, she avoided three major killing blows from the master swordsman. Aiden struck the man with a sword of pure waters, while Anna barely twisted away from the enemy sword spirit, and deflected a mighty blow of the man's sword.
She was stuck, unable to do anything but dodge and deflect, and Aiden got a few hits in. At least she was keeping this opponent occupied.
Finally a senior on her side relieved her.
"Lord, oh 'em Excuse me Madam. I'll take over."
She withdrew as the man's favor-enhanced swing connected with the sword that had deflected a 100 elemental attacks.
The man's defense began to crumble.
She withdrew back to the frontline senior's command.
The battle she had fought was the linchpin and with her rescuer's swift victory the enemy retreated, for now.
{}
While Lucille had been trying to sway enemy hearts in the very moment where it's most difficult, Anna ended up fighting the third general on the opposite side.
While Anna resisted him wisely, it was his inability to go beyond his straight up tactics that kept her sister alive,
<>
With the enemy army reforming, Lucille and the psy division lurked around the edges convincing some to leave their team and abscond. One particular group instead tried to attack the psy team expecting little resistance.
There was only one other fighter who fought like her, and the two of them lead the girls.
Lucille began to crush the enemy swordsmen, they didn't resist and fight back as well as her sister. The group that had tried to fight back was instead cut down in numbers, and many fled.
Lucille's every movement convinced them they were on the wrong side.
Another army was arriving.
<>
The Seniors, L2 and main armies rushed to defeat the first army of the enemy before the second arrived.
Anna and the seniors flew overhead while the others marched. All of the Sword seniors carried a Saber or Spear Senior with them on their flying sword.
Anna had one of the Saber ladies she camped with. Neia was her name. Aiden flew besides them.
An artillery group started firing on them, Anna and the others rushed towards them, dodging projectiles and swooping down into battle.
Neia leapt off the sword ten feet above the ground deflected an enemy strike, Anna leapt drawing the sword from below her and ordering Aiden to strike.
The artillerist unleashed a partially formed shot and Anna batted it away with her sword essence, overpowering the Opening class artillery attack,
The man resisted a single blow from her sword but not a second.
The Saber seniors around her acted as cover defense as she struck down three more artilerists.
They invited a response, and her 6 person team battled 8 enemy front liners.
Against a spear, she worked to counteract the lady's range. The battle of evading and ducking in to strike was frantic but the spear excelled in group action. She eventually won the day, she took one gouge but defeated the other opponent.
Their team had lost numbers, and she rushed to attack an outnumbered ally, the blade Senior used the advantages of their weapon well.
Anna's sword menaced the three opponents and with the blade user's help she split away two of them,
Aiden acted as a second to her as her opponents were themselves blade users.
While Aiden fought well, he ultimately could only be returned to the weapon, to rest up. Anna was able to defeat one as Aiden was out to slumber. Reinforcements came and were met with new enemies, and the battle at that point became even more fierce.
A fourth opponent beckoned, and two more before she withdrew at the beckoning of one of the ladies.
The Divine Favor fighters on both sides joined battle, and she recovered with the members left of her team.
<>
They went out again 4 hours later, and battle was joined again and again. It was hardest on the seniors, who kept being called up.
She refined the core strength of her elemental water through many battles. Even coming to the rescue of Lucille's unit once.
The war was the longest 6 weeks Anna and Lucille could imagine. Tim had survived in the crucible of the main army and advanced to late Iron sword. One of the three recruits had survived the war, the other two did not. Anna had advanced to Mid Elemental. Lucille was at Peak Opening
Before they returned to the city they planned to refound their sect in, the army, clans and sects were putting on a huge Social.
<>
Anna happily shared drinks and toasts with the Seniors of the war.
"The Graceful Sword and Fan sect, we haven't fully launched yet. My sister will be the Head of Administration and she has studied the fan with a particular focus on combat. Of course I've got my history with the sword."
Anna felt more sociable than ever before and had invitations to compare notes and spar with several saber seniors and a few sword seniors.
Tim made connections with those in his unit, and Lucille talked to everyone, shining as the Master of Socials that she was.
<>
When they arrived back at the city, they only had one sect junior, so they worked on their cultivation and on formalizing the Sect's procedures and traditions.
Registering with the Empire Sect Register under the category Alternative, they found the rights and obligations of sects.
Obligations:
Provide individuals when needed for Military Call Ups, under the One Cultivator, One Team, One Unit, 50% and 100% calls.
Update the Register with the identity of Executives and Senior Cultivators when they change.
Provide Dispute resolution within sect, and accept inter-sect and trans-authority resolution mechanisms.
Maintain Senior Leader(s) at the Manifestation tier or higher.
Rights:
Receive funding for Sect operations based on latest Competitive Assessment or Initial Funding Status before first assessment.
Develop and Design the Sect according to your philosophy.
Chief Executive; Lucille Ohnani
1st Cultivator: Anna Ohnani
Master of Instruction: Tim Blevins
<>
Lucille organized their initial funds. As a new Sect, they had a burst of funding before their first Assessment.
Buildings and Capital costs were first on the list. The Sect site was small to start. They had administration, classroom, indoor and outdoor sparring and Junior and Senior housing, eaterie.
It was a simple beginning, constrained by the initial funding and no expectations by lenders. Property could be seized an repossessed by the bank when the Sect folded, so standard types of buildings were used.
The Kitchen and Dining area was the only area they splurged in. They needed the extra support for Socials and Etiquette instruction.
There was so much the Sect could be that was still dormant.
From an Organization structure perspective, they had Beginning Sect, Outer sect, Inner Sect, Staff and Executive ranks along the Graceful Sword track, and the Fearsome Fan track.
With all the funding and construction ongoing, they received 62 applicants either by mail or in person.
35 were rejected for simple reasons, especially lack of affinity with the Sects weapons and purposes.
2 were rejected for signs that the applicant was already a member of another sect.
Of the 25 accepted: 16 were swordswomen, 3 where fanmen, 6 where fan women.
<>
"I have rejected the philosophy that says to attack with maximum force, remember your target can move. Movement is life.
But I also reject the misconception that leads to rarely attacking at all. Do not be afraid, but be aware, you are violently attacking someone with a deadly weapon.
Train here, practice and spar, but you need the real thing. Battle will find you, but the one who hoped to prepare during battle will be cut down.
Even battle against monsters will only help so much against other humans.
Instructor Tim will show you the first preparations you need."
<>
Anna and I sat down with students to look at the Sword or Fan standard expected of those who wanted to advance.
Students had to either reach the standard in ten years to become inner sect, apply for an Assistantship to work in running the sect's operations, or they would be out of the sect.
Anna was called away as the highest combat capable member of the Sect, but I was nearing a breakthrough to the rarely seen Radiant Hibiscus Queen, or Opening in the army scheme.
I knew Anna was right in the middle of the Long century or two grind to reach Divine Favor, or Divine Sword Will.
She returned a few days before the Sect Ranking Tournament. Most of our juniors were still very new. I didn't expect much.
<>
So we went to evaluation with 22 members with a year of experience and 16 members with less than a year.
One of our Juniors had reached the Inner Sect, joining Tim. We had no Elders and the two of us as Senior Leadership.
Each group, Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Elders and Executives, would be scored based on the results of the tournament, from 0 to 30, with higher being worse.
Score 30 required being passed up by a more junior group, so it wasn't common. Outer Sect groups were 100 members max, Inner sect 30 members max, elders 8 members max and executives 3 members max.
Since we had no elders, we already had 30 points there. There would be a major funding cut if we had more than 80 points, and 100 points would lead to the end of the Sect. Anna and I knew we'd had to do well and our Outer Sect must do well.
First up was Graceful Sword and Fan Outer Sect against Redoubt Blade Outer Sect.
The Redoubt had 17 members in their Outer Sect to our 38. The battle had a little hiccup as our juniors adjusted to a large group fight for reals.
The Military Leadership maintained suppression of effects outside the large arena and life preservation.
One bright star of the Redoubt was not enough as the shimmering sparks of talent in our outer sect, sword and fan, won a strong victory.
Tim was now a Shimmering Sword cultivator and almost at Elder status. Jarae was immediately taken out and sent to medical, and Tim was out 45 seconds later. He was swarmed by a full team.
The long wait with the Full Inner Sect and Elder groups showed them there were many elders in Manifestation, and a few in Opening.
The Outer and Inner sect battles were administered in the large arena by Army arena security staff. The Elder battles were in the small arena, administered by the Inner Sect of the Arena Operators Sect. The Executive section was administered by their top few members to contain advanced powers in the Arena.
"Do we have any Peak Divine Favor cultivators here today? We are unable to contain Peak Divine Power."
Everyone shook their heads.
"Then let's begin."
The bottom of the executive group was filled with Sect leaders that were not qualified in this tier. Leaders had to put themselves and at least one other person at this level.
We faced two cultivators of an obscure philosophical sect first.
Water seeped from Anna's sword and covered the two of them. When one of the two resisted for a moment, I rushed in, launching a hidden knife from my fan. The man's staff was pushed away and I directed the fan down on his head for an easy victory.
Our Outer Sect lost to a group of 80 in the next round. Back to 80 points. Tim and Jarae lost to a group of 100 outer sect members, putting them at 30 points.
Anna and I faced three sword cultivators in our next match, Sword spirits produced a 3 on 6.
They looked strong, but I was able to resist the initial focus while Anna-and her spirit fought them from behind. They unraveled against her elemental powers.
In round 3, our juniors won, bringing our score back to 80. In the next fight, Tim was amazing against 80 outer sect members, single-handedly defeating them. Jarae survived for almost a minute.
Tim relied on cheap, usually ineffective sword shadows filling the arena to cut at the juniors. A reasonable outer sect member should be able to shrug that off long enough to defeat Tim, but they couldn't.
I was defeated as our opponents tried to go two on one against me and they were my seniors by cultivation.
But somehow Anna pulled out the three on one victory. I was worried every group would try to wipe me out quickly, I was outmatched compared to most executives, beyond the bottom dwellers.
We were at 11 in executives, 23 inner sect, 17 outer sect, 11+23+17+30 = 81 points, just over the line
All the fights were going to be tough if we wanted to move forward. 3 more fights.
I was out in 30 seconds in the next round. Tim faced an inner group sect that had fallen like ours. He managed to fight smartly for the circumstances, using shimmering strikes to scare off the surrounding enemy, fighting an exhausting 10 minute battle. He had seen a lot of Anna's battles and training and it was paying off.
Anna was defeated in that round, but our juniors also won.
After 6 rounds, Anna and I snuck in at 5 after one of the most amazing victories I've seen. Anna used their desire to attack me by standing right in the middle, and consistently forced them to divert to her, with my help it became a 1 v 1 and 2 v1 and the arena shook as Anna's sword waters met Sword flames and Saber lightning. The waters pushed on the other two, and brilliance and masterful cultivation proved in her victory over two mid-elemental sword cultivators.
I used my power to warp my attacker's thinking. By the end when Anna struck, we were planning a Social. I felt dirty using etiquette and charisma for battle but the sect needed everything I could give. Allocations are huge. We ended up with a 5 in the executive bracket.
Outer Sect reached a score of 14, Inner Sect hung on at 20, so we had 14+20+30+5 = 69. We were informed our funding would almost quadruple with those results
<>
We started work in separate inner sect, outer sect and leadership areas of the compounds. We actually built most of what we wanted this time, tearing down the old facility a year later when the new facilities were ready.
Word spreads fast as we had 46 new outer sect members the next year.
Over the next 2 years we ended up to 120 Outer Sect members (we needed to expand the outer sect again), 13 inner sect members, 1 elder (Tim), and us 2 again.
Some members went through a few years and were happy to go on their way, but others become part of the sect in other ways. we had a staff of 10 for maintenance cleaning and support.
We decided our inner sect members had 15 years that they could stay in sect housing before advancing or living off campus. They would receive some training and funding as long as they kept to it.
Our Outer Sect had over 100, and so we had a fun game to pick out the most junior twenty to wait for the future evaluations.
With a Full hundred, our Outer Sect gave us only 8 points. At 13 members our inner sect group was still mostly newly at rank and our-numbered. And they scored 17. Anna and I practiced our fighting strategies together weekly. I was so close to Opening realm. Next time. We got 8th, the 5 had been a fluke and our competitor sects were wiser.
8 + 17 + 30 + 8 = 61
Our funding increased by 80% again. We mostly saved, and worked on paying our mortgage, but we did build a second Outer Sect facility.
<>
With Lucille out for closed door cultivation, Anna had to run the Sect.
She brought more assistants in to help where she lacked the skill. She elevated the 2nd elder and First in Fan Cultivation, who became acting head of Fan combat training.
Tim was pushing towards mid-shimmering, his progress was faster than all of them at his age.
<>
The sect continued scoring slightly better the next few evaluations, as the Inner Sect was filled out and the Elders remained 2.
Finally Lucille returned, reaching the Penultimate stage like Anna.
Twin Powers Upgraded. You may teleport to your sister or swap positions. Cooldown 20 minutes.
This would be helpful. Anna retreated into the new elite sword combat center, where she focused on further mastering the sword and sparring with Tim. The 3rd best sword cultivator in their sect was only at mid-Iron.
It took much more time to add their third executive and fill the Elders.
The Outer Sect stabilized at about 7th, the Inner Sect at 5th, the Elders has just achieved 10th for the first time. Executives remained in 5,6,7,8 range.
Scoring 22ish gave them 3 times the funding they had before.
They began to recruit all year round, but instead of Anna's early years at the Heavenly Sword Sect, they established a recruiting center in the center of the city, and as room was free up, or someone made a strong case, they were invited to compete for entry.
80% of the Sect was swords cultivators, mostly woman but an increasing number of men too. 20% was Fan cultivators or Dual path cultivators.
Hanna was the first duel Fan Sword elder, and she wielded both well.
Tim had reached Early Elemental Sword, and Anna considered him the future hope of the sect, although he was only 40 years younger than her.
Lucille got remarried. It was a political connection looking to move to town and connect with the sect. Ex-army but now in Government service.
The Graceful Sword and Fan sect was becoming significant. The first of the old school Sword sects had followed suit and accepted qualified women.
Her husband was successful and not always around, but his father came too and gave the sect Senior offices some more experience and professionalism.
Anna was nearly 200 years old. Finally solidly in Upper Elemental Sword cultivation.
<>
He had gone from his step-mom being an overwhelming presence of power, to being able to see the full strength of a late stage elemental sworder.
He finally got the chance to fight at her side. He would go as Anna's second the next time the Sect was called up to provide aide.
Having Anna as the target and example made his ascent quicker. Anna had refined everything about the way she fought through endless days of actual field work.
When the military called for three members of each sect to bring aide, Tim accompanied Anna and Hanna, the dual wielding Sword and Fan cultivator.
Anna and the Sect had never been a dual-wielding sect, that was Sect of the Whirling Blades territory, yet the Sect's dual path allowed for something like that.
The sword memory of Anna's sword was so powerful that it burgeoned into an object spirit a few months ago.
Aida/Aiden had an identity as muddled as Anna's history. The spirit wore golden slacks and a suit that seemed to contain swirling waters and waves. In the next moment; she wore a dress with blue water charms and golden sword charms.
Anna had never studied the Lore of Sword Spirits, only Elders at the sword sects would be taught such things,
Friends and relatives of the addendum students became their first students. Anna was the Elder of Swords, Lucille was the Elder of Fans and Headmaster. Tim was the instructor of Novices. He was going through a crash course with Lucille on fans.
They still needed a Manners teacher, one willing to teach in a new way. Manners for the unconventional you.
They organized the eventual student body into First year sword, first year fan, second year sword and so on. That was for the first 4 years. They would develop inner sect details as things advanced.
<>
The Revered Silver Dragon Reaping Sect was a rarity, a sect would wield the power of a nation, and control over lands...
The reaping sect's Invasion lead to all Sects being ordered to report to the capital city.
Half of their new recruits fled when they were informed they had to go fight in the war.
<>
The assembled sects were many-fold, several sects had thousands of members, there were also sects with dozens of branch sects underneath them.
Assembled clans and families with their subordinates and subordinate organizations also arrived.
Their sect was the tiniest of those reporting by tenfold.
"A small organization would probably just disband," Lucille said.
"We have to classify our members for the government. They use universal power levels. Their stages are: Divine Favor, Manifestation, Opening, Condensing, Flickering and Mortal.
Our new students: one flickering and two mortals. Tim, what stage are you at?"
"Late Iron, so I guess condensing."
"I'm at Rose Unveiling, looks like Opening. Anna?"
"Mid Manifestation."
They had 4 sword cultivators and 2 fan cultivators.
When their little group got to the front of the line, a stern military man of the Owl army looked at the filled in sheet.
"Which one of you is the Manifestation senior?"
Anna spoke up, "Elemental Sword sir. I've been involved in past campaigns under the name An, sir."
"Go to the frontline Seniors camp, sir."
"Your Opening cultivator?"
"That's me; sir . I've developed the Combat fan style beyond.."
"Psych Ops camp please. The rest of you join the main army mega camp."
<>
There were several women in the frontline seniors camp. They were all blade users, and no one asked or thought Anne was anything else.
She stayed in a tent with three other women.
"Refining Blade sect." Said two of them.
"Daughters of the Snow Blade"
"I'm starting a new sect with my sister. We just were founded three months ago and we only have one other instructor and several of the juniors didn't respond to the call."
"There's no need for another blade sect."
"Indeed our daughter's sect is struggling to keep members."
Sighing Anna let Aida emerge from her sword, for whatever reason, only two-thousand year old blade cultivators had blade spirits, while even 150 year old sword cultivators often had a sword spirit.
"It is a new sect that allows for women to become Sword cultivators, as I have done, and men to be fan cultivators if they want. My sister is a Rose blossom graduate, and I passed as a man, and spent part of my time at the Heavenly Sword Sect before I was kicked out."
()
Joining a group where she was a Junior was actually helpful. Her bumpy road to life gave her more stability when things changed and in the army they always do.
Some of these people had an easy path all the way to Opening without many obstacles and stoppages. There were even Divine Favor cultivators at only 350 years old.
Their unit stayed in reserve as the army, strengthened by clan and sect juniors, fought the first waves of the enemy.
The L2 army was composed of Condensing and Opening cultivators. The one L2 had more power and impact against the bulk of the enemy than the 5 regular armies,
The Seniors in the frontline group began to deploy, Anna moved forwards where high-powered ranged attacks were causing large casualties,
"Shut down their elite artillery cultivators."
Anna wouldn't call herself fast, she leapt onto her sword to chase after an artillery Manifestation class cultivator. Despite being the same cultivation stage, it took everything to finally approach the enemy.
She was able to cut down the archer after dodging an arrow, and then struck decisively against a sword cultivator who entered the field of battle.
The enemy swordsman deflected her killing blow,
His aggression was obvious. Deflect and move, she avoided three major killing blows from the master swordsman. Aiden struck the man with a sword of pure waters, while Anna barely twisted away from the enemy sword spirit, and deflected a mighty blow of the man's sword.
She was stuck, unable to do anything but dodge and deflect, and Aiden got a few hits in. At least she was keeping this opponent occupied.
Finally a senior on her side relieved her.
"Lord, oh 'em Excuse me Madam. I'll take over."
She withdrew as the man's favor-enhanced swing connected with the sword that had deflected a 100 elemental attacks.
The man's defense began to crumble.
She withdrew back to the frontline senior's command.
The battle she had fought was the linchpin and with her rescuer's swift victory the enemy retreated, for now.
{}
While Lucille had been trying to sway enemy hearts in the very moment where it's most difficult, Anna ended up fighting the third general on the opposite side.
While Anna resisted him wisely, it was his inability to go beyond his straight up tactics that kept her sister alive,
<>
With the enemy army reforming, Lucille and the psy division lurked around the edges convincing some to leave their team and abscond. One particular group instead tried to attack the psy team expecting little resistance.
There was only one other fighter who fought like her, and the two of them lead the girls.
Lucille began to crush the enemy swordsmen, they didn't resist and fight back as well as her sister. The group that had tried to fight back was instead cut down in numbers, and many fled.
Lucille's every movement convinced them they were on the wrong side.
Another army was arriving.
<>
The Seniors, L2 and main armies rushed to defeat the first army of the enemy before the second arrived.
Anna and the seniors flew overhead while the others marched. All of the Sword seniors carried a Saber or Spear Senior with them on their flying sword.
Anna had one of the Saber ladies she camped with. Neia was her name. Aiden flew besides them.
An artillery group started firing on them, Anna and the others rushed towards them, dodging projectiles and swooping down into battle.
Neia leapt off the sword ten feet above the ground deflected an enemy strike, Anna leapt drawing the sword from below her and ordering Aiden to strike.
The artillerist unleashed a partially formed shot and Anna batted it away with her sword essence, overpowering the Opening class artillery attack,
The man resisted a single blow from her sword but not a second.
The Saber seniors around her acted as cover defense as she struck down three more artilerists.
They invited a response, and her 6 person team battled 8 enemy front liners.
Against a spear, she worked to counteract the lady's range. The battle of evading and ducking in to strike was frantic but the spear excelled in group action. She eventually won the day, she took one gouge but defeated the other opponent.
Their team had lost numbers, and she rushed to attack an outnumbered ally, the blade Senior used the advantages of their weapon well.
Anna's sword menaced the three opponents and with the blade user's help she split away two of them,
Aiden acted as a second to her as her opponents were themselves blade users.
While Aiden fought well, he ultimately could only be returned to the weapon, to rest up. Anna was able to defeat one as Aiden was out to slumber. Reinforcements came and were met with new enemies, and the battle at that point became even more fierce.
A fourth opponent beckoned, and two more before she withdrew at the beckoning of one of the ladies.
The Divine Favor fighters on both sides joined battle, and she recovered with the members left of her team.
<>
They went out again 4 hours later, and battle was joined again and again. It was hardest on the seniors, who kept being called up.
She refined the core strength of her elemental water through many battles. Even coming to the rescue of Lucille's unit once.
The war was the longest 6 weeks Anna and Lucille could imagine. Tim had survived in the crucible of the main army and advanced to late Iron sword. One of the three recruits had survived the war, the other two did not. Anna had advanced to Mid Elemental. Lucille was at Peak Opening
Before they returned to the city they planned to refound their sect in, the army, clans and sects were putting on a huge Social.
<>
Anna happily shared drinks and toasts with the Seniors of the war.
"The Graceful Sword and Fan sect, we haven't fully launched yet. My sister will be the Head of Administration and she has studied the fan with a particular focus on combat. Of course I've got my history with the sword."
Anna felt more sociable than ever before and had invitations to compare notes and spar with several saber seniors and a few sword seniors.
Tim made connections with those in his unit, and Lucille talked to everyone, shining as the Master of Socials that she was.
<>
When they arrived back at the city, they only had one sect junior, so they worked on their cultivation and on formalizing the Sect's procedures and traditions.
Registering with the Empire Sect Register under the category Alternative, they found the rights and obligations of sects.
Obligations:
Provide individuals when needed for Military Call Ups, under the One Cultivator, One Team, One Unit, 50% and 100% calls.
Update the Register with the identity of Executives and Senior Cultivators when they change.
Provide Dispute resolution within sect, and accept inter-sect and trans-authority resolution mechanisms.
Maintain Senior Leader(s) at the Manifestation tier or higher.
Rights:
Receive funding for Sect operations based on latest Competitive Assessment or Initial Funding Status before first assessment.
Develop and Design the Sect according to your philosophy.
Chief Executive; Lucille Ohnani
1st Cultivator: Anna Ohnani
Master of Instruction: Tim Blevins
<>
Lucille organized their initial funds. As a new Sect, they had a burst of funding before their first Assessment.
Buildings and Capital costs were first on the list. The Sect site was small to start. They had administration, classroom, indoor and outdoor sparring and Junior and Senior housing, eaterie.
It was a simple beginning, constrained by the initial funding and no expectations by lenders. Property could be seized an repossessed by the bank when the Sect folded, so standard types of buildings were used.
The Kitchen and Dining area was the only area they splurged in. They needed the extra support for Socials and Etiquette instruction.
There was so much the Sect could be that was still dormant.
From an Organization structure perspective, they had Beginning Sect, Outer sect, Inner Sect, Staff and Executive ranks along the Graceful Sword track, and the Fearsome Fan track.
With all the funding and construction ongoing, they received 62 applicants either by mail or in person.
35 were rejected for simple reasons, especially lack of affinity with the Sects weapons and purposes.
2 were rejected for signs that the applicant was already a member of another sect.
Of the 25 accepted: 16 were swordswomen, 3 where fanmen, 6 where fan women.
<>
"I have rejected the philosophy that says to attack with maximum force, remember your target can move. Movement is life.
But I also reject the misconception that leads to rarely attacking at all. Do not be afraid, but be aware, you are violently attacking someone with a deadly weapon.
Train here, practice and spar, but you need the real thing. Battle will find you, but the one who hoped to prepare during battle will be cut down.
Even battle against monsters will only help so much against other humans.
Instructor Tim will show you the first preparations you need."
<>
Anna and I sat down with students to look at the Sword or Fan standard expected of those who wanted to advance.
Students had to either reach the standard in ten years to become inner sect, apply for an Assistantship to work in running the sect's operations, or they would be out of the sect.
Anna was called away as the highest combat capable member of the Sect, but I was nearing a breakthrough to the rarely seen Radiant Hibiscus Queen, or Opening in the army scheme.
I knew Anna was right in the middle of the Long century or two grind to reach Divine Favor, or Divine Sword Will.
She returned a few days before the Sect Ranking Tournament. Most of our juniors were still very new. I didn't expect much.
<>
So we went to evaluation with 22 members with a year of experience and 16 members with less than a year.
One of our Juniors had reached the Inner Sect, joining Tim. We had no Elders and the two of us as Senior Leadership.
Each group, Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Elders and Executives, would be scored based on the results of the tournament, from 0 to 30, with higher being worse.
Score 30 required being passed up by a more junior group, so it wasn't common. Outer Sect groups were 100 members max, Inner sect 30 members max, elders 8 members max and executives 3 members max.
Since we had no elders, we already had 30 points there. There would be a major funding cut if we had more than 80 points, and 100 points would lead to the end of the Sect. Anna and I knew we'd had to do well and our Outer Sect must do well.
First up was Graceful Sword and Fan Outer Sect against Redoubt Blade Outer Sect.
The Redoubt had 17 members in their Outer Sect to our 38. The battle had a little hiccup as our juniors adjusted to a large group fight for reals.
The Military Leadership maintained suppression of effects outside the large arena and life preservation.
One bright star of the Redoubt was not enough as the shimmering sparks of talent in our outer sect, sword and fan, won a strong victory.
Tim was now a Shimmering Sword cultivator and almost at Elder status. Jarae was immediately taken out and sent to medical, and Tim was out 45 seconds later. He was swarmed by a full team.
The long wait with the Full Inner Sect and Elder groups showed them there were many elders in Manifestation, and a few in Opening.
The Outer and Inner sect battles were administered in the large arena by Army arena security staff. The Elder battles were in the small arena, administered by the Inner Sect of the Arena Operators Sect. The Executive section was administered by their top few members to contain advanced powers in the Arena.
"Do we have any Peak Divine Favor cultivators here today? We are unable to contain Peak Divine Power."
Everyone shook their heads.
"Then let's begin."
The bottom of the executive group was filled with Sect leaders that were not qualified in this tier. Leaders had to put themselves and at least one other person at this level.
We faced two cultivators of an obscure philosophical sect first.
Water seeped from Anna's sword and covered the two of them. When one of the two resisted for a moment, I rushed in, launching a hidden knife from my fan. The man's staff was pushed away and I directed the fan down on his head for an easy victory.
Our Outer Sect lost to a group of 80 in the next round. Back to 80 points. Tim and Jarae lost to a group of 100 outer sect members, putting them at 30 points.
Anna and I faced three sword cultivators in our next match, Sword spirits produced a 3 on 6.
They looked strong, but I was able to resist the initial focus while Anna-and her spirit fought them from behind. They unraveled against her elemental powers.
In round 3, our juniors won, bringing our score back to 80. In the next fight, Tim was amazing against 80 outer sect members, single-handedly defeating them. Jarae survived for almost a minute.
Tim relied on cheap, usually ineffective sword shadows filling the arena to cut at the juniors. A reasonable outer sect member should be able to shrug that off long enough to defeat Tim, but they couldn't.
I was defeated as our opponents tried to go two on one against me and they were my seniors by cultivation.
But somehow Anna pulled out the three on one victory. I was worried every group would try to wipe me out quickly, I was outmatched compared to most executives, beyond the bottom dwellers.
We were at 11 in executives, 23 inner sect, 17 outer sect, 11+23+17+30 = 81 points, just over the line
All the fights were going to be tough if we wanted to move forward. 3 more fights.
I was out in 30 seconds in the next round. Tim faced an inner group sect that had fallen like ours. He managed to fight smartly for the circumstances, using shimmering strikes to scare off the surrounding enemy, fighting an exhausting 10 minute battle. He had seen a lot of Anna's battles and training and it was paying off.
Anna was defeated in that round, but our juniors also won.
After 6 rounds, Anna and I snuck in at 5 after one of the most amazing victories I've seen. Anna used their desire to attack me by standing right in the middle, and consistently forced them to divert to her, with my help it became a 1 v 1 and 2 v1 and the arena shook as Anna's sword waters met Sword flames and Saber lightning. The waters pushed on the other two, and brilliance and masterful cultivation proved in her victory over two mid-elemental sword cultivators.
I used my power to warp my attacker's thinking. By the end when Anna struck, we were planning a Social. I felt dirty using etiquette and charisma for battle but the sect needed everything I could give. Allocations are huge. We ended up with a 5 in the executive bracket.
Outer Sect reached a score of 14, Inner Sect hung on at 20, so we had 14+20+30+5 = 69. We were informed our funding would almost quadruple with those results
<>
We started work in separate inner sect, outer sect and leadership areas of the compounds. We actually built most of what we wanted this time, tearing down the old facility a year later when the new facilities were ready.
Word spreads fast as we had 46 new outer sect members the next year.
Over the next 2 years we ended up to 120 Outer Sect members (we needed to expand the outer sect again), 13 inner sect members, 1 elder (Tim), and us 2 again.
Some members went through a few years and were happy to go on their way, but others become part of the sect in other ways. we had a staff of 10 for maintenance cleaning and support.
We decided our inner sect members had 15 years that they could stay in sect housing before advancing or living off campus. They would receive some training and funding as long as they kept to it.
Our Outer Sect had over 100, and so we had a fun game to pick out the most junior twenty to wait for the future evaluations.
With a Full hundred, our Outer Sect gave us only 8 points. At 13 members our inner sect group was still mostly newly at rank and our-numbered. And they scored 17. Anna and I practiced our fighting strategies together weekly. I was so close to Opening realm. Next time. We got 8th, the 5 had been a fluke and our competitor sects were wiser.
8 + 17 + 30 + 8 = 61
Our funding increased by 80% again. We mostly saved, and worked on paying our mortgage, but we did build a second Outer Sect facility.
<>
With Lucille out for closed door cultivation, Anna had to run the Sect.
She brought more assistants in to help where she lacked the skill. She elevated the 2nd elder and First in Fan Cultivation, who became acting head of Fan combat training.
Tim was pushing towards mid-shimmering, his progress was faster than all of them at his age.
<>
The sect continued scoring slightly better the next few evaluations, as the Inner Sect was filled out and the Elders remained 2.
Finally Lucille returned, reaching the Penultimate stage like Anna.
Twin Powers Upgraded. You may teleport to your sister or swap positions. Cooldown 20 minutes.
This would be helpful. Anna retreated into the new elite sword combat center, where she focused on further mastering the sword and sparring with Tim. The 3rd best sword cultivator in their sect was only at mid-Iron.
It took much more time to add their third executive and fill the Elders.
The Outer Sect stabilized at about 7th, the Inner Sect at 5th, the Elders has just achieved 10th for the first time. Executives remained in 5,6,7,8 range.
Scoring 22ish gave them 3 times the funding they had before.
They began to recruit all year round, but instead of Anna's early years at the Heavenly Sword Sect, they established a recruiting center in the center of the city, and as room was free up, or someone made a strong case, they were invited to compete for entry.
80% of the Sect was swords cultivators, mostly woman but an increasing number of men too. 20% was Fan cultivators or Dual path cultivators.
Hanna was the first duel Fan Sword elder, and she wielded both well.
Tim had reached Early Elemental Sword, and Anna considered him the future hope of the sect, although he was only 40 years younger than her.
Lucille got remarried. It was a political connection looking to move to town and connect with the sect. Ex-army but now in Government service.
The Graceful Sword and Fan sect was becoming significant. The first of the old school Sword sects had followed suit and accepted qualified women.
Her husband was successful and not always around, but his father came too and gave the sect Senior offices some more experience and professionalism.
Anna was nearly 200 years old. Finally solidly in Upper Elemental Sword cultivation.
<>
He had gone from his step-mom being an overwhelming presence of power, to being able to see the full strength of a late stage elemental sworder.
He finally got the chance to fight at her side. He would go as Anna's second the next time the Sect was called up to provide aide.
Having Anna as the target and example made his ascent quicker. Anna had refined everything about the way she fought through endless days of actual field work.
When the military called for three members of each sect to bring aide, Tim accompanied Anna and Hanna, the dual wielding Sword and Fan cultivator.
Anna and the Sect had never been a dual-wielding sect, that was Sect of the Whirling Blades territory, yet the Sect's dual path allowed for something like that.
Soar 2
- Location
- Michigan
Adam watched from miles off as another capsule launched from the space center in Oxford.
He followed the capsule with the binoculars he bought for 5 pounds. Soon the vessel was out of sight.
It was two days since his rejection letter. He had bought the binoculars and watched the twice daily capsules going up to the space station.
He spoke with a few of the ethereals at dinner at the hotel. Although the aliens had taught humanity their language as a common language, accents had diverged in the years since.
He could still understand the ethereals, but he had a harder time getting them to understand him. Last night, they had asked to join his table, and after dinner there was cards. He had never learned their form of whist before although the ethereal decks of cards were common enough.
He stopped at a bakery south of campus before going back to his hotel. He was halfway through his sweet bun when he collided with someone, an ethereal male.
"I'm so sorry," Adam said in Ethereal. "I wasn't paying attention."
"It's my fault. No matter sir," he said. "I have to get back to the Randolph, do you want to share a hansom?"
"Of course. Adam Ryan, I've arrived from the Americas but my father is English," Adam said.
"Atliero Numat, I spend about half my time planetside, half in orbit and occasionally further afield," he said.
The ride back to the hotel they shared was fairly subdued, except for one weird thing. Atliero Numat handed me a business card. It just said SIT on the front, and on the back of the card, at the bottom was an address in a small font.
"Two days from now, we are looking for applicants again, be there by 7 am if you are interested."
They separated after arriving at the hotel. He didn't think about it until later, but how did Numat know he was staying at the Randolph, why didn't he go into the hotel after they arrived?
*
Two days later, he was standing in a long line outside the address listed on his card. Many people were giving rumors about what they were lined up for, but no one knew for sure. It was mostly men lined up, all in nicer suits than his own ratty one. He did see a couple of women in nice blouses and skirts. He was just a youngster, new and unfamiliar with the homeland of his father.
The line wasn't moving, but a man in a top hat stood outside the entrance, and as he raised his voice, the light talking ceased.
"First of all, anyone who doesn't have a card, I'm sorry you can't apply. We have meet and greets every week, so you can hope to get a card then," the man said, holding up a card of his own.
The line collapsed as people all over walked away, disappointed. Adam was fifth in line of a dozen or so men, each holding their card.
"You all can come in," said the man at the doors.
We were directed immediately away from the receiving area by a young woman behind a desk. "You're needed at the Aether Testing Room," she directed them.
The line collapsed slightly when they entered, but they reformed a line as they went down the hallway towards a set of huge double doors, with the sign Aether Testing Room above the door.
Someone spoke to them from inside. "Come in, one at a time."
Adam listened as the first person went in, and a weird hissing sound could be heard a minute or two later.
The first person must have continued on elsewhere, as they didn't come back out the door, but the person inside shouted for the next person.
Finally, after 15 minutes waiting, it was his turn.
The room was full of elaborate metal machinery of the kind that humans had not yet learned to make. There was a massive dome of glass, enclosing another room filled with equipment, surrounded by a perfectly sealed glass. A small door, set into the enclosure was open, and two women were busy cleaning what looked to be blood stains off the floor inside the glass.
"There can be adverse reactions to this test," the operator said, from behind rows of levers. "Mostly nose bleeds but sometimes vomiting or loss of consciousness."
What kind of test was this, he wondered.
Finally, the cleaning ladies finished their job, and Adam was beckoned into the chamber, which was sealed behind him. The operator, a human who spoke perfect Ethereal, in the aliens' accent, explained the situation to Adam.
"We have emergency medical equipment inside the testing globe, if anything goes wrong. I'll just give you one piece of advice, don't think of yourself as being underwater, just breath normally, don't hold your breath." he said.
"And 3, 2, 1."
He couldn't breathe for a moment. He tried to catch his breath, and then suddenly, the air returned, but it felt slimy, like some kind of oil was pouring down his airway as he breathed. He smelled a hint of something burning. He calmed down, and looked out at the operator.
The man sounded funny when he spoke.
"Do I sound like a deep baritone to you? The test will continue for 5 more minutes."
It was odd, being watched in a room, surrounded by measuring equipment. For five minutes he twitched and moved about the chamber restlessly.
He didn't even notice the slimy feeling of the air, when it left him briefly, and air returned again.
The man finally explained, as Adam stepped out of the testing area.
"Roughly 3 percent of humans can breathe Aether, and react to the transition from Air to Aether, and back. It was truly a weird finding when the Ethereals identified people who could travel with them in space. The aliens don't have any kind of air in their ships, they breathe Aether, but they find 91% of their own kind can breathe it. Anyway, you passed the crucial test. Report to the receiving area, and ask for an entrance exam."
He left the room, and the applicants behind him stared at him as he returned to the entryway of the building, and talked to the front desk clerk.
*
He was in an office, going through the official application. It asked a lot of questions he didn't have answers for.
Personal Interview
Question 1: Please describe your work experience with cargo or passenger transportation & travel?
Uh, Adam thought, he didn't have any. He skipped to the next question.
Question 2: Please describe your work experience with trading, whether commodities, stocks, bonds or derivatives?
Skip.
Question 3: How many pounds sterling could you contribute to an investment which you would be the active partner therein?
Father had sent him with 60 pounds, of which 2 had been spent on the airship to get here, he was booked up in the hotel for another week, and then he'd spent 5 points on the binoculars. He could spare 25 pounds, if he had to. So he wrote that down.
Question 4: Please describe any trips you have taken to the Ethereal worlds.
Skip.
On and on the questions went. The first page only had one he could write down an answer for.
The second page asked for biography, and motivation. Why did he want to go.
Question 7: What motivates you to become a Space traveler?
"I want to see every planet and every neat thing. I want to learn about the people of the other worlds, and learn from the Ethereals. I am excited for the chance to fly by wingsuit, and see the sun rise over all the inhabited worlds."
Question 11: How long do you plan on remaining a traveler, and why?
"I may want to take a break for a few weeks now and then, but I don't see why I wouldn't travel for several decades."
After a long process of writing that forced him to take a break to deal with his hand cramping, he was done.
He definitely didn't have any experience. It seemed unlikely that he would be picked, if only a few people were.
The next person he saw was Numat from the night before. He worked here then? This was some sort of space trading, traveling and/or financial group obviously.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't have offered you a card if I didn't think you had a chance of being accepted," Numat said. "I took a brief glance, but now I want to do a deeper reading of your soul. It's like a soul microsope, if you want to imagine that. Do I have your permission?"
"Of course," Adam said.
Numat grabbed another chair and sat down really close to him. After apparently staring at him for ten minutes, the alien made his pronouncement.
"You've had some discouragement lately, but you've been avoiding acknowledging it, just trying to keep going. Sometimes it helps to share that," Numat said.
"I was going to go to Oxford together with Wessinh, my girlfriend. she had a family emergency, and her family sort of pushed me away, saying she needed a practical man. We were going to go together and get into Oxford. I think she just wanted to study and read about your species. I've always wanted to actually go and visit Olympus and Miarahaba, and the furthest edges of the Aether." Adam said.
"We don't actually sail the Aether winds. Well, we do, but only as a backup if something breaks. Current ships are soul powered. This is a tangent, but humans usually discount the soul. You can't see it, so it seems like a silly thing, or something that's just internal. One of the most complex things you would study, if you are to become a pilot, is the interweaving of the pilot and passengers' souls, and how that affects the propulsion of the spacecraft.
We can see souls, and since the very first machines were powered by our own souls, we've studied the kinetics of souls. A weakened soul is a critical flaw in a pilot, so we recommend seeing an Ethereal counselor regularly if you join the business. Soar is one of the rarest 'elements', and it combines very well with Precision and Provision. Those two elements are very common for those of us on Earth, and amongst the Neutralist party."
"Of course, I want Wessinh to have the best opportunities she can. I don't think she's going to settle for being a nurse. I'll keep in mind this soul business, my father would say it's all a bunch of hookum, but even he can't deny it really." Adam said.
"We'll be back to you with the final results of your application in a few days," Numat replied.
The building seemed nearly empty after his conversation with Numat. Outside, the sun had poked out, making a nice break from the endless rain, and Adam decided to wander about town.
He followed the capsule with the binoculars he bought for 5 pounds. Soon the vessel was out of sight.
It was two days since his rejection letter. He had bought the binoculars and watched the twice daily capsules going up to the space station.
He spoke with a few of the ethereals at dinner at the hotel. Although the aliens had taught humanity their language as a common language, accents had diverged in the years since.
He could still understand the ethereals, but he had a harder time getting them to understand him. Last night, they had asked to join his table, and after dinner there was cards. He had never learned their form of whist before although the ethereal decks of cards were common enough.
He stopped at a bakery south of campus before going back to his hotel. He was halfway through his sweet bun when he collided with someone, an ethereal male.
"I'm so sorry," Adam said in Ethereal. "I wasn't paying attention."
"It's my fault. No matter sir," he said. "I have to get back to the Randolph, do you want to share a hansom?"
"Of course. Adam Ryan, I've arrived from the Americas but my father is English," Adam said.
"Atliero Numat, I spend about half my time planetside, half in orbit and occasionally further afield," he said.
The ride back to the hotel they shared was fairly subdued, except for one weird thing. Atliero Numat handed me a business card. It just said SIT on the front, and on the back of the card, at the bottom was an address in a small font.
"Two days from now, we are looking for applicants again, be there by 7 am if you are interested."
They separated after arriving at the hotel. He didn't think about it until later, but how did Numat know he was staying at the Randolph, why didn't he go into the hotel after they arrived?
*
Two days later, he was standing in a long line outside the address listed on his card. Many people were giving rumors about what they were lined up for, but no one knew for sure. It was mostly men lined up, all in nicer suits than his own ratty one. He did see a couple of women in nice blouses and skirts. He was just a youngster, new and unfamiliar with the homeland of his father.
The line wasn't moving, but a man in a top hat stood outside the entrance, and as he raised his voice, the light talking ceased.
"First of all, anyone who doesn't have a card, I'm sorry you can't apply. We have meet and greets every week, so you can hope to get a card then," the man said, holding up a card of his own.
The line collapsed as people all over walked away, disappointed. Adam was fifth in line of a dozen or so men, each holding their card.
"You all can come in," said the man at the doors.
We were directed immediately away from the receiving area by a young woman behind a desk. "You're needed at the Aether Testing Room," she directed them.
The line collapsed slightly when they entered, but they reformed a line as they went down the hallway towards a set of huge double doors, with the sign Aether Testing Room above the door.
Someone spoke to them from inside. "Come in, one at a time."
Adam listened as the first person went in, and a weird hissing sound could be heard a minute or two later.
The first person must have continued on elsewhere, as they didn't come back out the door, but the person inside shouted for the next person.
Finally, after 15 minutes waiting, it was his turn.
The room was full of elaborate metal machinery of the kind that humans had not yet learned to make. There was a massive dome of glass, enclosing another room filled with equipment, surrounded by a perfectly sealed glass. A small door, set into the enclosure was open, and two women were busy cleaning what looked to be blood stains off the floor inside the glass.
"There can be adverse reactions to this test," the operator said, from behind rows of levers. "Mostly nose bleeds but sometimes vomiting or loss of consciousness."
What kind of test was this, he wondered.
Finally, the cleaning ladies finished their job, and Adam was beckoned into the chamber, which was sealed behind him. The operator, a human who spoke perfect Ethereal, in the aliens' accent, explained the situation to Adam.
"We have emergency medical equipment inside the testing globe, if anything goes wrong. I'll just give you one piece of advice, don't think of yourself as being underwater, just breath normally, don't hold your breath." he said.
"And 3, 2, 1."
He couldn't breathe for a moment. He tried to catch his breath, and then suddenly, the air returned, but it felt slimy, like some kind of oil was pouring down his airway as he breathed. He smelled a hint of something burning. He calmed down, and looked out at the operator.
The man sounded funny when he spoke.
"Do I sound like a deep baritone to you? The test will continue for 5 more minutes."
It was odd, being watched in a room, surrounded by measuring equipment. For five minutes he twitched and moved about the chamber restlessly.
He didn't even notice the slimy feeling of the air, when it left him briefly, and air returned again.
The man finally explained, as Adam stepped out of the testing area.
"Roughly 3 percent of humans can breathe Aether, and react to the transition from Air to Aether, and back. It was truly a weird finding when the Ethereals identified people who could travel with them in space. The aliens don't have any kind of air in their ships, they breathe Aether, but they find 91% of their own kind can breathe it. Anyway, you passed the crucial test. Report to the receiving area, and ask for an entrance exam."
He left the room, and the applicants behind him stared at him as he returned to the entryway of the building, and talked to the front desk clerk.
*
He was in an office, going through the official application. It asked a lot of questions he didn't have answers for.
Personal Interview
Question 1: Please describe your work experience with cargo or passenger transportation & travel?
Uh, Adam thought, he didn't have any. He skipped to the next question.
Question 2: Please describe your work experience with trading, whether commodities, stocks, bonds or derivatives?
Skip.
Question 3: How many pounds sterling could you contribute to an investment which you would be the active partner therein?
Father had sent him with 60 pounds, of which 2 had been spent on the airship to get here, he was booked up in the hotel for another week, and then he'd spent 5 points on the binoculars. He could spare 25 pounds, if he had to. So he wrote that down.
Question 4: Please describe any trips you have taken to the Ethereal worlds.
Skip.
On and on the questions went. The first page only had one he could write down an answer for.
The second page asked for biography, and motivation. Why did he want to go.
Question 7: What motivates you to become a Space traveler?
"I want to see every planet and every neat thing. I want to learn about the people of the other worlds, and learn from the Ethereals. I am excited for the chance to fly by wingsuit, and see the sun rise over all the inhabited worlds."
Question 11: How long do you plan on remaining a traveler, and why?
"I may want to take a break for a few weeks now and then, but I don't see why I wouldn't travel for several decades."
After a long process of writing that forced him to take a break to deal with his hand cramping, he was done.
He definitely didn't have any experience. It seemed unlikely that he would be picked, if only a few people were.
The next person he saw was Numat from the night before. He worked here then? This was some sort of space trading, traveling and/or financial group obviously.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't have offered you a card if I didn't think you had a chance of being accepted," Numat said. "I took a brief glance, but now I want to do a deeper reading of your soul. It's like a soul microsope, if you want to imagine that. Do I have your permission?"
"Of course," Adam said.
Numat grabbed another chair and sat down really close to him. After apparently staring at him for ten minutes, the alien made his pronouncement.
"You've had some discouragement lately, but you've been avoiding acknowledging it, just trying to keep going. Sometimes it helps to share that," Numat said.
"I was going to go to Oxford together with Wessinh, my girlfriend. she had a family emergency, and her family sort of pushed me away, saying she needed a practical man. We were going to go together and get into Oxford. I think she just wanted to study and read about your species. I've always wanted to actually go and visit Olympus and Miarahaba, and the furthest edges of the Aether." Adam said.
"We don't actually sail the Aether winds. Well, we do, but only as a backup if something breaks. Current ships are soul powered. This is a tangent, but humans usually discount the soul. You can't see it, so it seems like a silly thing, or something that's just internal. One of the most complex things you would study, if you are to become a pilot, is the interweaving of the pilot and passengers' souls, and how that affects the propulsion of the spacecraft.
We can see souls, and since the very first machines were powered by our own souls, we've studied the kinetics of souls. A weakened soul is a critical flaw in a pilot, so we recommend seeing an Ethereal counselor regularly if you join the business. Soar is one of the rarest 'elements', and it combines very well with Precision and Provision. Those two elements are very common for those of us on Earth, and amongst the Neutralist party."
"Of course, I want Wessinh to have the best opportunities she can. I don't think she's going to settle for being a nurse. I'll keep in mind this soul business, my father would say it's all a bunch of hookum, but even he can't deny it really." Adam said.
"We'll be back to you with the final results of your application in a few days," Numat replied.
The building seemed nearly empty after his conversation with Numat. Outside, the sun had poked out, making a nice break from the endless rain, and Adam decided to wander about town.
Sisters 5
- Location
- Michigan
The assembled forces unnerved Hanna, as they were all seniors of many decades of cultivation, years of battle experience. She was proud to be called up, but nervous.
Tim was focused on his sword meditation. She found the practice weird.
The art of Fan and Sword was almost unheard of, she was blazing a new trail. The fan covered her face and her right hand held the sword. It was a lighter sword than the long sword Anna used and the Broadsword Tim used.
To consider Tim and Anna the same stage of cultivation was true but misleading. Anna was at late-stage Elemental Sword with a century and a half of experience. Tim was at early stage with a lot less.
She tried the Kata, thinking of Lucille and Anna's styles as two sides of the coin, and combining them.
Sword and fan flowed together as one, as beauty and menace and sweet and sharp all gathered.
She only stopped when Anna and a group of onlookers stopped at their tent, and several people were staring.
"There's a chance more of the sect might be called up. For now we need to contain this undead disease. It doesn't just bring up the minor legends of the undead. It brings horrors when it infects Senior cultivators," Anna said.
"Don't leave anyone behind. The army's advanced healers are ready to intervene but we have to bring our wounded and dead back with us."
Hanna followed her sect leader as they hiked over to the source of the outbreak in a nearby town.
Artillery cultivators advanced, and frontline cultivators, including their sect, stood in front of the artillery as protection.
"Drop into shadow techniques and cast them wild if we get rushed. Tim, focus your fires on the left, I'll let my waters go to the right," Anna said.'
They covered a small part of the battle line, each melee sect covering the artillery down line.
The first group of advancing undead were stopped by the army's artillery cultivators. The second round was less effective as the enemy got into range.
Finally as they got close Anna filled half of their sect's region with waters and Tim with fires. She let her sword shadows cover those who survived the fire, nothing survived the waters.
After a few waves of this, the wights came out.
With the full attention of Senior cultivators up and down the line, Hanna only felt a little pressure as she carved into bone and demon flesh.
She unleashed all of her knives from the fan then folded the fan up and took down the enemy with her sword, which she called Rose Edge.
When the undead monstrosities came out, she took a step towards Tim, and acted as a support to dart in and attack, dart back and dodge,
She fell back at the weight of the next group. Vampires of at least Late manifestation stage.
Under the weight of the enemy she rejoined others who were relatively junior.
Tim fought desperately against three of the vampires, while Anna showed off her might covering the next sect's assignment when they fell back early.
When Tim was pushed back by a gigantic hulking beast, Hanna was terrified. Anna fought furiously and over several minutes managed to defeat the beast but another had appeared. The line was broken and wights, vampires and other horrors poured into their backlines, until the very highest cultivators in the land joined.
Divine light and Holy currents swept at the enemies. And a gigantic celestial sword skewered a second monstrosity about to attack Anna.
This was a problem calling for the very elite. The reserves were in play. Tim helped against the raging lower threats, Anna joined her seniors to help out, and the raging tide met Ultimate human skill.
The Army began pouring on additional top-assets only as they staggered and retreated.
The best of humanity had to fall back before they were overrun.
As they backed off the relentless assault subsided into a few lesser undead.
The army posted guards while they went back to confer.
<>
The battle of the Baying Undeath began in fullness. It was one of the greatest struggles in the long and sporadic war against the necromancers.
In the presence of necromancy, where your own soldiers could be used against you, the regular army was called back and only cultivators of Opening or higher stage fought.
Many cultivators fell and not all of them were cremated before the Necromancers struck.
The struggle was beyond Hanna's capacity to help. The Opening stage juniors like herself mostly stayed in camp and heard about the horrors of the war.
She had been told before that Anna spent years serving as a normal army grunt, and working and fighting with the army for long hours, and then decades more as an independent wandering cultivator going from one problem to the next.
She didn't understand the relentless pace of the campaign until she noticed how rarely Anna was around camp. Senior cultivators had a lot more stamina and ability to go without sleep, but ultra high end battles all sapped your strength and stamina more than anything else. There were stories about the legends sleeping for days, and going without sleep for many days.
Was it weeks, or was it months of being in the field? Hanna wasn't sure, but after a long time at camp, she found Lucille had returned with a brutal chest wound that looked rough even with the healer's attention. Lucille stayed in camp after that, and spoke with many of the people there, trying to encourage them, and assess who was able to go back out and fight.
When the camp began to move, Hanna thought it would be a long offensive against the necromancers, but it was only three days later that victory was declared.
Anna was nowhere to be found, but Lucille was certain that she was alright, so they headed back for the sect, and back to normality. Hanna didn't think the Sect would feel normal after so long away from it.
<>
The man wore the most severe and carefully preserved robes Lucille had seen.
"Administrator Ohnani, the Emperor requests your presence in place of the Graceful Sword and Fan sect. He wishes to bestow honors upon a member of your sect. The Bestowing is to occur on July 16th, the year of the Ram."
"I will be there."
"You may bring up to 4 additional guests, besides yourself. Your Honored sect member, Cultivator Ohnani will be staying at the Imperial palace until after the bestowal."
<>
Lucille discussed with Tim, and they made him 2nd Sword master, to cover the responsibility of overseeing the Sword cultivators and sometimes training the seniors.
Hanna became Chief adviser of Dual path cultivation. And both Tim and Hanna picked their successors as well.
July Graham was the finest Fan only cultivator of the sect, she originally intended to learn the sword, but thrives with the Fan. The Rose Blossom sect would have loved to have her.
She became Chief Adviser of Fan Cultivation, but Lucille was still looking for a good second for her administrative duties.
<>
Power thrummed through the halls of the Imperial palace, even out in the guest wing. Her sword was hovering above her hands as she meditated.
The longsword originally belonged to a friend of Uncle's. The one friend that recognized her talent with the sword, before anyone else. The power of her cultivation had rendered the sword unrecognizable. It possessed the nature of Waters now, and the spirit Aida/Aiden. The sword was very precious to her now.
Aiden mediated on the tip of the sword while it hovered above Anna. A globe of water surrounded them, Anna's elemental source was water and she could breath there as well as anyone could.
She could tell somebody was coming. The waters retreated into her sword, she landed and stowed her sword into her sheath, which had been replaced many times over the decades. She had recently bought a very expensive sheath, one Aiden was comfortable with
"Lady Ohnani?"
"Come in."
The servant arrived with the attire requested of her today. She had never thought about clothing too much beyond a bit of protection, and supporting her full range of motion, but while she was here, everyone took fashion very seriously.
Now she was wearing a dress of bluish green and little gold earrings, necklace and arm jewelry.
"The honor of my family and this Imperial servant swears upon the safe return of your sword Lady Cultivator," the servant said.
"Let Aida see something interesting when you store it. Thank you."
In the presence of His Imperial Highness, no one was allowed to possess their weapon except the lineage of Imperial guardsmen who had served the family for generations.
Her hair, while short, was styled to make it wavy and gleaming. Feeling naked once more without her sword, she thought of the way Lucille thrives in any social situation and projected that.
The Emperor was 13 and was attended by his Aunt, and a few cousins. The Emperor had a Regent who was much older.
"Honored Cultivator, would you sit by His Imperial Highness for breakfast?"
"Gladly," she said.
"Your sword, does it talk to you? I have read stories about sword cultivators who talk to their sword or sword spirits," the Emperor Daimon said.
"Emperor, We understand each other really well, since I've spent the majority of my life with that sword. They do talk to me sometimes though."
"Is there more than one?"
"I say they, because I knew I was supposed to be a Sword cultivator and I had to pass as a man for years. I was unsure of myself before I finally realized there's nothing wrong in the Dao with a swordswoman. But the spirit prefers to still shift between Aiden and Aida."
<>
Breakfasts more fancy than the most ornate dinner she had over had. Day over Day, she sat with the Emperor.
"I've practiced with all kinds of weapons when I find time between my studies and appearances," he said
She found conversation with the regent on a few evenings when she wandered out to the canopy deck,
"I'm on a short leash. They didn't chose their best courtier, the family has barred themselves from regency. I was their most obedient family legate. So I'm a regent with strings."
"I've been alone most of my life. Busy being an anonymous member of the Mortal sect, and then the outer sect. I was a wanderer and briefly a member of my brother-in-law's family staff, until he died.
Then years as a member of a mercenary army, and eventually a wandering cultivator helping wherever I was needed. Then recently, I've been part of building our sect with my sister and the son of an old friend of mine. The sect is great and I enjoy the professional community of Swords and Fans, but still my sister and I are lonely and we don't spend as much family time as we did when we were kids. Administration and our responsibilities to the throne keep us busy."
"It's great to have you at the Palace," the regent said. "I think the Emperor could use a voice that's not part of the normal crowd that surrounds him."
*
Tim, Hanna and Judy accompanied her to the Imperial Palace. The sect was on holiday by Imperial writ and the new Assistant Administrator kept the order for those who stayed.
The Sword, Fan and Dual Path exemplars seemed like the best 3 guests to bring.
They were greeted by a large group of staffers spiffily dressed, they were greeting guests as they arrived.
"Who are you here for?" One of the staffers asks.
"Administrator Ohnani, and three seniors of the Graceful Sword and Fan Sect, here for the recognition of Lady Ohnani."
"Mrs. Ohnani, please accompany me inside, your guests may stay and mingle for the time being."
We were whisked inside, where oddly enough, our measurements were taken and we were given clothes to wear. The dresses were beautiful and extravagant, and Tim's tux was suitable for a wedding.
When she saw her sister standing beside the Emperor, she was shocked. Who was the Radiant Hibiscus and who was the Sword Elemental here?! The power of her Elemental control of Flowers threatened to flare, she resisted it. Anna was gorgeous, dressed in a beautiful gown with tasteful jewelry. She had never seen this side of her sister before.
Purple flowers intertwined with Golden chain which lead to a necklace of astonishing turquoise that her sister wore. The dress was made of something so precious she had never seen it before and the way it shimmered and showed her beauty was the sign of a Blossom crafter in the Imperial staff.
His Imperial Highness wore a suit with every cuff link hand engraved with old symbols of the empire. Gold and silver, ruby and lapis lazuli were studded on the jacket that fit the young teen Empress. The staff surrounding then were well dressed also, but not so extreme.
After a few hours of light conversation and waiting, the staff positioned Lucille and off to the side of the presentation.
The Emperor, his regent, and Anna stood at center. A man in white robes and smelling of incense finally arrived. Beside him another man in Golden robes carried a long black case.
After a moment the incense smelling man stood before the Emperor and Anna.
"Cultivator Anna Ohnani, please rejoin your Sect administrator while I speak to our Imperial Highness."
She curtsied with perfect form and retreated back to us. I gave her a confused look, I didn't even dare telepathic communication here.
The officiant spoke as much for the crowd's benefit as the emperor's.
"The position of consort is an honored one, although one that sometimes raises concerns with those unfamiliar with it's procedure. A Crown Prince would chose his first consort at a similar age to yours, your Highness, but in your case, the need is more direct.
"The Emperor needs his consorts. They are his benefactors, representatives and generals, and so often are cultivators who live much longer than most emperors. It is quite common for the difference in age between a consort and her emperor to be large.
"This is acceptable for several reasons. First, a consort need not perform the duties of a wife, although they may grow close in later days, when the Emperor has more years of life behind.. Second, like all Emperors you are mature beyond your years, and you have received the best training and education from the beginning. You have learned the righteous and proper behavior. And third, the process to even consider a consort is very strict, only those of great achievement, righteous moral standards and without conflicting interests are considered for the position.
"Thus it is appropriate for you, my young highness, to tie a bond between your house and that of your consort to be.
"Is your assent given, Your Highness, uncompelled and freely given, to tie a bond between your person and one Miss Ohnani in consort. Her children born in future days will be sons and daughters of the Imperial family's consort branch."
"Our assent is given. Let her name become Consort Anna Verouelin of the Imperial Family."
Speaking to the regent, the Minister said, "in light of our Highness's youth, Lord Regent, do you assent."
"On behalf of the regency and the Imperial family I assent."
"Anna Verouelin, please step forward."
Lucille looked at her sister. Was Anna glowing? Something was certainly happening to her cultivation. Anna approached with all of her own grace. Her sister started to glow brightly in light that was only visible to cultivators
"Anna Verouelin, will you give your assent, surrendering family and clan and sect to be joined to the Imperial family as consort."
"I assent."
The light accelerated, waters and light swirled within her spirit, until a massive storm of golden water erupted outward encompassing the whole room yet leaving none wet, before swirling into Anna.
"What just happened?" The officiant said, leaving the script.
Surprisingly it was the Emperor who answered. "The Divine Favor of Emperors has accepted her. She is now at the beginning of the Highest stage of cultivation. The divine waters of Lake Myleh will protect us all."
"Is that correct Anna," the Regent asked.
"I have sought out the secret of Divine cultivation for decades, and here I find it given as a gift from your treasury. Thank you, your highness," Anna said.
"You are very welcome," the emperor said. "Please accept the sword of our treasury, the sign of our favor."
A man with a long box carefully opened the box, revealing the most magnificent sword. It's cross-guard was jeweled with garnets and sword had a pattern of white roses and waterfalls painstakingly engraved on it.
it was given to Anna, who received it, taking it edge end and handing the pommel to the Emperor.
"Always in your service, your highness."
He acknowledged the gesture, and she returned the sword to its box for now. The guard secured the weapon and left.
"Thank you magistrate. Now on to the rest of the Awards." The regent said. "His Highness and Consort shall greet the guests, and pass out honors. Our Consort's former sect shall provide the honor guard.
I watched as power unquenchable ran through Anna and even began to siphon into the Emperor whose cultivation level was undetectable.
We stood at the opened doors as the two were followed by staff. Still flabbergasted at the series of events.
The Honors and awards went to very powerful individuals and exceptional sects, and then the Graceful Sword and Fan sect,
"We consider the Graceful Sword and Fan Sect highly. While it is a new sect, only a century in existence, it is the home of our first Consort. Your sect has served in all the occasions it was called to, and Anna Verouelin has been a big part of that. We award the Honor of the Silver Star to the Graceful Sword and Fan Sect."
Lucille went forward and accepted the honor of the sect.
<>
AVD: Divine Favor is something beyond a stage. It's more like connecting to a stream of power beyond our control than merely growing in understanding. No matter how great you are, if no one answers, you can't become Divinely favored.
LO: how's the sword situation?
AVD: I can already handle two swords other than the one in my hand. The sword the emperor gave me has two sword spirits, surprisingly.
<>
Lucille became the highest cultivator in the sect in Anna's absence, and she began to prepare the Assistant to take her place. Tim was only a few steps behind, but when the next call up came, it was one person per sect. She made the Assistant acting administrator.
While she had always kept to her cultivation, having Anna there kept her pressure low. Now that she was the highest cultivator in the sect, she dove into the fullness of her art, meditating into the afternoon and then rushing ahead of the convoy to the new site.
When they got there, in addition to the usual army, Anna was there, dressed fancifully.
AV: Those weeks before I ascended, I started being able to draw on your grace and poise, In the last hour before I became Consort I was fully drawing on all your training and grace as well as mine. Sorry I didn't explain before, it was all such a whirlwind.
LO: So I'll be able to pull on your skills when I reach that point.
AV: I think so.
AV: I will be providing backup, now we don't think this is another necromantic cell but we're not sure, something is weird.
Lucille fought in the open field, taking her sisters place as she cleared the foul things that were not necromancy.
Persuasion was of no use against such foes, and it wasn't the first or last time she wished she had studied the sword with Anna.
<>
Anna woke up, and went to breakfast with the Emperor. After the first few weeks, he liked her tastes and she had enough of a wardrobe to chose her own clothes each day, most days she only saw him as they shared breakfast and then he had many things demanded of him, and she returned to the cloister like Consort wing where a half dozen servants attended to her days,
She would change into training clothes and meditate in the morning, train with the swords at night. Sometimes Aida was her primary sword spirit and sometimes the duo of Marcus and James, the spirits of her gifted sword.
Sometimes she would meet with the Emperor and others for a major dinner but mostly she would make a social call, dining with his family or with the regent's family or at home.
It was after dinner, and she was observing the flows of divine power that ran through her. From the sea many miles off, waters met the heavenly power and divine water crossed the fabled Lake Myleh. From there it rose up to the capital, and then to the palace and poured into her. But a stream of divine water growing day by day went the short distance to the young Emperor Daimon. But now a tiny trickle of divine power went another direction, far away. Anna's connection with her sister must be granting some small portion of the divine power given to her, to her sister as well.
Her meditation was cut short when she shuddered as another power arrived. From the sky, vast rivers of lightning condensed into the palace, and ended at another divine cultivator who had arrived.
The power flowing through him overwhelmed the power running through her, though it didn't suppress or go against the power she received.
Tim was focused on his sword meditation. She found the practice weird.
The art of Fan and Sword was almost unheard of, she was blazing a new trail. The fan covered her face and her right hand held the sword. It was a lighter sword than the long sword Anna used and the Broadsword Tim used.
To consider Tim and Anna the same stage of cultivation was true but misleading. Anna was at late-stage Elemental Sword with a century and a half of experience. Tim was at early stage with a lot less.
She tried the Kata, thinking of Lucille and Anna's styles as two sides of the coin, and combining them.
Sword and fan flowed together as one, as beauty and menace and sweet and sharp all gathered.
She only stopped when Anna and a group of onlookers stopped at their tent, and several people were staring.
"There's a chance more of the sect might be called up. For now we need to contain this undead disease. It doesn't just bring up the minor legends of the undead. It brings horrors when it infects Senior cultivators," Anna said.
"Don't leave anyone behind. The army's advanced healers are ready to intervene but we have to bring our wounded and dead back with us."
Hanna followed her sect leader as they hiked over to the source of the outbreak in a nearby town.
Artillery cultivators advanced, and frontline cultivators, including their sect, stood in front of the artillery as protection.
"Drop into shadow techniques and cast them wild if we get rushed. Tim, focus your fires on the left, I'll let my waters go to the right," Anna said.'
They covered a small part of the battle line, each melee sect covering the artillery down line.
The first group of advancing undead were stopped by the army's artillery cultivators. The second round was less effective as the enemy got into range.
Finally as they got close Anna filled half of their sect's region with waters and Tim with fires. She let her sword shadows cover those who survived the fire, nothing survived the waters.
After a few waves of this, the wights came out.
With the full attention of Senior cultivators up and down the line, Hanna only felt a little pressure as she carved into bone and demon flesh.
She unleashed all of her knives from the fan then folded the fan up and took down the enemy with her sword, which she called Rose Edge.
When the undead monstrosities came out, she took a step towards Tim, and acted as a support to dart in and attack, dart back and dodge,
She fell back at the weight of the next group. Vampires of at least Late manifestation stage.
Under the weight of the enemy she rejoined others who were relatively junior.
Tim fought desperately against three of the vampires, while Anna showed off her might covering the next sect's assignment when they fell back early.
When Tim was pushed back by a gigantic hulking beast, Hanna was terrified. Anna fought furiously and over several minutes managed to defeat the beast but another had appeared. The line was broken and wights, vampires and other horrors poured into their backlines, until the very highest cultivators in the land joined.
Divine light and Holy currents swept at the enemies. And a gigantic celestial sword skewered a second monstrosity about to attack Anna.
This was a problem calling for the very elite. The reserves were in play. Tim helped against the raging lower threats, Anna joined her seniors to help out, and the raging tide met Ultimate human skill.
The Army began pouring on additional top-assets only as they staggered and retreated.
The best of humanity had to fall back before they were overrun.
As they backed off the relentless assault subsided into a few lesser undead.
The army posted guards while they went back to confer.
<>
The battle of the Baying Undeath began in fullness. It was one of the greatest struggles in the long and sporadic war against the necromancers.
In the presence of necromancy, where your own soldiers could be used against you, the regular army was called back and only cultivators of Opening or higher stage fought.
Many cultivators fell and not all of them were cremated before the Necromancers struck.
The struggle was beyond Hanna's capacity to help. The Opening stage juniors like herself mostly stayed in camp and heard about the horrors of the war.
She had been told before that Anna spent years serving as a normal army grunt, and working and fighting with the army for long hours, and then decades more as an independent wandering cultivator going from one problem to the next.
She didn't understand the relentless pace of the campaign until she noticed how rarely Anna was around camp. Senior cultivators had a lot more stamina and ability to go without sleep, but ultra high end battles all sapped your strength and stamina more than anything else. There were stories about the legends sleeping for days, and going without sleep for many days.
Was it weeks, or was it months of being in the field? Hanna wasn't sure, but after a long time at camp, she found Lucille had returned with a brutal chest wound that looked rough even with the healer's attention. Lucille stayed in camp after that, and spoke with many of the people there, trying to encourage them, and assess who was able to go back out and fight.
When the camp began to move, Hanna thought it would be a long offensive against the necromancers, but it was only three days later that victory was declared.
Anna was nowhere to be found, but Lucille was certain that she was alright, so they headed back for the sect, and back to normality. Hanna didn't think the Sect would feel normal after so long away from it.
<>
The man wore the most severe and carefully preserved robes Lucille had seen.
"Administrator Ohnani, the Emperor requests your presence in place of the Graceful Sword and Fan sect. He wishes to bestow honors upon a member of your sect. The Bestowing is to occur on July 16th, the year of the Ram."
"I will be there."
"You may bring up to 4 additional guests, besides yourself. Your Honored sect member, Cultivator Ohnani will be staying at the Imperial palace until after the bestowal."
<>
Lucille discussed with Tim, and they made him 2nd Sword master, to cover the responsibility of overseeing the Sword cultivators and sometimes training the seniors.
Hanna became Chief adviser of Dual path cultivation. And both Tim and Hanna picked their successors as well.
July Graham was the finest Fan only cultivator of the sect, she originally intended to learn the sword, but thrives with the Fan. The Rose Blossom sect would have loved to have her.
She became Chief Adviser of Fan Cultivation, but Lucille was still looking for a good second for her administrative duties.
<>
Power thrummed through the halls of the Imperial palace, even out in the guest wing. Her sword was hovering above her hands as she meditated.
The longsword originally belonged to a friend of Uncle's. The one friend that recognized her talent with the sword, before anyone else. The power of her cultivation had rendered the sword unrecognizable. It possessed the nature of Waters now, and the spirit Aida/Aiden. The sword was very precious to her now.
Aiden mediated on the tip of the sword while it hovered above Anna. A globe of water surrounded them, Anna's elemental source was water and she could breath there as well as anyone could.
She could tell somebody was coming. The waters retreated into her sword, she landed and stowed her sword into her sheath, which had been replaced many times over the decades. She had recently bought a very expensive sheath, one Aiden was comfortable with
"Lady Ohnani?"
"Come in."
The servant arrived with the attire requested of her today. She had never thought about clothing too much beyond a bit of protection, and supporting her full range of motion, but while she was here, everyone took fashion very seriously.
Now she was wearing a dress of bluish green and little gold earrings, necklace and arm jewelry.
"The honor of my family and this Imperial servant swears upon the safe return of your sword Lady Cultivator," the servant said.
"Let Aida see something interesting when you store it. Thank you."
In the presence of His Imperial Highness, no one was allowed to possess their weapon except the lineage of Imperial guardsmen who had served the family for generations.
Her hair, while short, was styled to make it wavy and gleaming. Feeling naked once more without her sword, she thought of the way Lucille thrives in any social situation and projected that.
The Emperor was 13 and was attended by his Aunt, and a few cousins. The Emperor had a Regent who was much older.
"Honored Cultivator, would you sit by His Imperial Highness for breakfast?"
"Gladly," she said.
"Your sword, does it talk to you? I have read stories about sword cultivators who talk to their sword or sword spirits," the Emperor Daimon said.
"Emperor, We understand each other really well, since I've spent the majority of my life with that sword. They do talk to me sometimes though."
"Is there more than one?"
"I say they, because I knew I was supposed to be a Sword cultivator and I had to pass as a man for years. I was unsure of myself before I finally realized there's nothing wrong in the Dao with a swordswoman. But the spirit prefers to still shift between Aiden and Aida."
<>
Breakfasts more fancy than the most ornate dinner she had over had. Day over Day, she sat with the Emperor.
"I've practiced with all kinds of weapons when I find time between my studies and appearances," he said
She found conversation with the regent on a few evenings when she wandered out to the canopy deck,
"I'm on a short leash. They didn't chose their best courtier, the family has barred themselves from regency. I was their most obedient family legate. So I'm a regent with strings."
"I've been alone most of my life. Busy being an anonymous member of the Mortal sect, and then the outer sect. I was a wanderer and briefly a member of my brother-in-law's family staff, until he died.
Then years as a member of a mercenary army, and eventually a wandering cultivator helping wherever I was needed. Then recently, I've been part of building our sect with my sister and the son of an old friend of mine. The sect is great and I enjoy the professional community of Swords and Fans, but still my sister and I are lonely and we don't spend as much family time as we did when we were kids. Administration and our responsibilities to the throne keep us busy."
"It's great to have you at the Palace," the regent said. "I think the Emperor could use a voice that's not part of the normal crowd that surrounds him."
*
Tim, Hanna and Judy accompanied her to the Imperial Palace. The sect was on holiday by Imperial writ and the new Assistant Administrator kept the order for those who stayed.
The Sword, Fan and Dual Path exemplars seemed like the best 3 guests to bring.
They were greeted by a large group of staffers spiffily dressed, they were greeting guests as they arrived.
"Who are you here for?" One of the staffers asks.
"Administrator Ohnani, and three seniors of the Graceful Sword and Fan Sect, here for the recognition of Lady Ohnani."
"Mrs. Ohnani, please accompany me inside, your guests may stay and mingle for the time being."
We were whisked inside, where oddly enough, our measurements were taken and we were given clothes to wear. The dresses were beautiful and extravagant, and Tim's tux was suitable for a wedding.
When she saw her sister standing beside the Emperor, she was shocked. Who was the Radiant Hibiscus and who was the Sword Elemental here?! The power of her Elemental control of Flowers threatened to flare, she resisted it. Anna was gorgeous, dressed in a beautiful gown with tasteful jewelry. She had never seen this side of her sister before.
Purple flowers intertwined with Golden chain which lead to a necklace of astonishing turquoise that her sister wore. The dress was made of something so precious she had never seen it before and the way it shimmered and showed her beauty was the sign of a Blossom crafter in the Imperial staff.
His Imperial Highness wore a suit with every cuff link hand engraved with old symbols of the empire. Gold and silver, ruby and lapis lazuli were studded on the jacket that fit the young teen Empress. The staff surrounding then were well dressed also, but not so extreme.
After a few hours of light conversation and waiting, the staff positioned Lucille and off to the side of the presentation.
The Emperor, his regent, and Anna stood at center. A man in white robes and smelling of incense finally arrived. Beside him another man in Golden robes carried a long black case.
After a moment the incense smelling man stood before the Emperor and Anna.
"Cultivator Anna Ohnani, please rejoin your Sect administrator while I speak to our Imperial Highness."
She curtsied with perfect form and retreated back to us. I gave her a confused look, I didn't even dare telepathic communication here.
The officiant spoke as much for the crowd's benefit as the emperor's.
"The position of consort is an honored one, although one that sometimes raises concerns with those unfamiliar with it's procedure. A Crown Prince would chose his first consort at a similar age to yours, your Highness, but in your case, the need is more direct.
"The Emperor needs his consorts. They are his benefactors, representatives and generals, and so often are cultivators who live much longer than most emperors. It is quite common for the difference in age between a consort and her emperor to be large.
"This is acceptable for several reasons. First, a consort need not perform the duties of a wife, although they may grow close in later days, when the Emperor has more years of life behind.. Second, like all Emperors you are mature beyond your years, and you have received the best training and education from the beginning. You have learned the righteous and proper behavior. And third, the process to even consider a consort is very strict, only those of great achievement, righteous moral standards and without conflicting interests are considered for the position.
"Thus it is appropriate for you, my young highness, to tie a bond between your house and that of your consort to be.
"Is your assent given, Your Highness, uncompelled and freely given, to tie a bond between your person and one Miss Ohnani in consort. Her children born in future days will be sons and daughters of the Imperial family's consort branch."
"Our assent is given. Let her name become Consort Anna Verouelin of the Imperial Family."
Speaking to the regent, the Minister said, "in light of our Highness's youth, Lord Regent, do you assent."
"On behalf of the regency and the Imperial family I assent."
"Anna Verouelin, please step forward."
Lucille looked at her sister. Was Anna glowing? Something was certainly happening to her cultivation. Anna approached with all of her own grace. Her sister started to glow brightly in light that was only visible to cultivators
"Anna Verouelin, will you give your assent, surrendering family and clan and sect to be joined to the Imperial family as consort."
"I assent."
The light accelerated, waters and light swirled within her spirit, until a massive storm of golden water erupted outward encompassing the whole room yet leaving none wet, before swirling into Anna.
"What just happened?" The officiant said, leaving the script.
Surprisingly it was the Emperor who answered. "The Divine Favor of Emperors has accepted her. She is now at the beginning of the Highest stage of cultivation. The divine waters of Lake Myleh will protect us all."
"Is that correct Anna," the Regent asked.
"I have sought out the secret of Divine cultivation for decades, and here I find it given as a gift from your treasury. Thank you, your highness," Anna said.
"You are very welcome," the emperor said. "Please accept the sword of our treasury, the sign of our favor."
A man with a long box carefully opened the box, revealing the most magnificent sword. It's cross-guard was jeweled with garnets and sword had a pattern of white roses and waterfalls painstakingly engraved on it.
it was given to Anna, who received it, taking it edge end and handing the pommel to the Emperor.
"Always in your service, your highness."
He acknowledged the gesture, and she returned the sword to its box for now. The guard secured the weapon and left.
"Thank you magistrate. Now on to the rest of the Awards." The regent said. "His Highness and Consort shall greet the guests, and pass out honors. Our Consort's former sect shall provide the honor guard.
I watched as power unquenchable ran through Anna and even began to siphon into the Emperor whose cultivation level was undetectable.
We stood at the opened doors as the two were followed by staff. Still flabbergasted at the series of events.
The Honors and awards went to very powerful individuals and exceptional sects, and then the Graceful Sword and Fan sect,
"We consider the Graceful Sword and Fan Sect highly. While it is a new sect, only a century in existence, it is the home of our first Consort. Your sect has served in all the occasions it was called to, and Anna Verouelin has been a big part of that. We award the Honor of the Silver Star to the Graceful Sword and Fan Sect."
Lucille went forward and accepted the honor of the sect.
<>
AVD: Divine Favor is something beyond a stage. It's more like connecting to a stream of power beyond our control than merely growing in understanding. No matter how great you are, if no one answers, you can't become Divinely favored.
LO: how's the sword situation?
AVD: I can already handle two swords other than the one in my hand. The sword the emperor gave me has two sword spirits, surprisingly.
<>
Lucille became the highest cultivator in the sect in Anna's absence, and she began to prepare the Assistant to take her place. Tim was only a few steps behind, but when the next call up came, it was one person per sect. She made the Assistant acting administrator.
While she had always kept to her cultivation, having Anna there kept her pressure low. Now that she was the highest cultivator in the sect, she dove into the fullness of her art, meditating into the afternoon and then rushing ahead of the convoy to the new site.
When they got there, in addition to the usual army, Anna was there, dressed fancifully.
AV: Those weeks before I ascended, I started being able to draw on your grace and poise, In the last hour before I became Consort I was fully drawing on all your training and grace as well as mine. Sorry I didn't explain before, it was all such a whirlwind.
LO: So I'll be able to pull on your skills when I reach that point.
AV: I think so.
AV: I will be providing backup, now we don't think this is another necromantic cell but we're not sure, something is weird.
Lucille fought in the open field, taking her sisters place as she cleared the foul things that were not necromancy.
Persuasion was of no use against such foes, and it wasn't the first or last time she wished she had studied the sword with Anna.
<>
Anna woke up, and went to breakfast with the Emperor. After the first few weeks, he liked her tastes and she had enough of a wardrobe to chose her own clothes each day, most days she only saw him as they shared breakfast and then he had many things demanded of him, and she returned to the cloister like Consort wing where a half dozen servants attended to her days,
She would change into training clothes and meditate in the morning, train with the swords at night. Sometimes Aida was her primary sword spirit and sometimes the duo of Marcus and James, the spirits of her gifted sword.
Sometimes she would meet with the Emperor and others for a major dinner but mostly she would make a social call, dining with his family or with the regent's family or at home.
It was after dinner, and she was observing the flows of divine power that ran through her. From the sea many miles off, waters met the heavenly power and divine water crossed the fabled Lake Myleh. From there it rose up to the capital, and then to the palace and poured into her. But a stream of divine water growing day by day went the short distance to the young Emperor Daimon. But now a tiny trickle of divine power went another direction, far away. Anna's connection with her sister must be granting some small portion of the divine power given to her, to her sister as well.
Her meditation was cut short when she shuddered as another power arrived. From the sky, vast rivers of lightning condensed into the palace, and ended at another divine cultivator who had arrived.
The power flowing through him overwhelmed the power running through her, though it didn't suppress or go against the power she received.
Soar 3
- Location
- Michigan
Adam had just returned from breakfast and read the newspaper for a bit when there was a knock at the door.
Opening the door, he saw two men standing there. Both were dressed in suits (one blue, one black),
"Good morning," he said to them.
"Hello Adam, I am Coordinator Jenkins of the Candidate Evaluation Team, and this is President Wallaby of Space Inter-planetary Transport and Trade, a joint Earth - Olympus project with the Ethereals. You have been selected as a Candidate. This does not mean you are guaranteed to become a chartered transport and trade captain. Your file notes that you have a severe lack of experience in transportation and finance, and you have never been in zero gravity. Your mechanical skills are also lacking.
We intend to put you through a pretty intense bootcamp to rectify these issues, but ultimately, your success will be determined by finding limited partners to co-fund your charter. We will also go through training in how to pursue finding with potential financial partners, but that will be covered later."
"That's amazing. So where do I report to for training?" Adam said. He imagined it, but he never thought there was a reality where he could pilot a space ship.
"At the space station, you and I have an appointment with the lifter in 25 minutes," Jenkins said.
Wallaby had a few words as well. "Our reputation depends on candidates being serious, respectable and worthy of the chance they are given. Selecting you was a reach, but our resident soul specialist Numat strongly advocated for you. Get serious about learning, or stay home, Mr. Ryan."
Jenkins was impatient: "Let's hurry, you have a ridiculously busy schedule ahead of you, and I need to get back down to the planet by Friday."
It was Tuesday.
Jenkins carried nothing with him as they left, and Adam's possessions were back at the hotel as they left, climbing into a horseless carriage that was already waiting outside the hotel.
"We don't have time to travel by horse. Anyway, your personal effects will be stored until your return. These lifters are only designed to bring two men to orbit, nothing more."
He was fascinated by the carriage, but once they started moving, he sat down and held on. Why was he afraid of this kind of speed when they would soon be traveling much faster? He watched as the miles zipped by as they approached the launch site he had watched before.
He would have asked Jenkins about the carriage, except it seemed like the man was not in the mood for diversions or distractions.
"It's most efficient to go to orbit at certain times of the day. Otherwise we might have to go halfway around the world to meet with the space station, and these lifters are capable of that. So we couldn't miss this launch window," Jenkins explained as arrived at the spaceport.
With the outrageous cost of space flight for private individuals, the space port was small and almost empty, but still they had to be checked with a list of possessions banned by the Ethereals or by England. All weapons were banned in space at the insistence of the aliens. Chemicals and flammables were banned.
They made the launch window with just a few minutes to spare, having changed into outfits that reminded him of hospital clothes. The lifter on top of a launch vehicle that was only a couple stories tall, and the lifter itself was just barely big enough for the two of them to be strapped in, inside. The silver lifter vehicle was sleep and rounded, shaped like a pill. The inside had no visible hands or ways to operate the device. Jenkins and Adam were strapped in both facing forward, looking at the white wall of the interior.
They couldn't do anything but wait now, until the spaceport launched their vehicle.
"Just as a quick answer to questions you might want to ask," said Jenkins. "It's vastly cheaper to use a small lifter-craft to get into orbit than bringing the ships down to the planet."
"The other thing is, you won't have to put much money down. Obviously a young man like yourself can't afford a spaceship, and even one investor isn't enough. You will have a whole big group of investors who are invested in your craft. You may be a candidate, but to actually be accepted, you need to get to know your investment team, and choose a managing partner, who will run the financial side of things while you are traveling. All of the investors, big and small, will be observing and receiving reports on your training at the station. So after your first testing results, you will return to earth and meet with them."
"Do I get to be the captain of a ship? I love it, but I also don't know anything about being a crewman yet alone a captain?"
Jenkins chuckled. "Human spaceships like the Osprey class are not yet large enough to support more than one crew member. You need that space for your passengers. And you will find it's not that hard to navigate on your own. I've already received a request from Atiaelero Numat to travel on your first leg. I would take his request, if you get the chance to fly, of course."
Adam wondered if they needed to buckle in themselves, but soon after he thought that, two workers at the spaceport came in, and full secured them both to their seats with buckles and latches.
"If something goes wrong and the automatic release doesn't work, here is the manual release," the man said.
It wasn't even a physical lever, it was a certain location on a small glass screen that was attached to his right armwrest. The man pointed to a corner of the screen as if that meant anything to Adam.
Finally the two workers left, and they could hear as the hatch was sealed.
"Once the second stage rocket fires," Jenkins said, "the hatch seal will actually release automatically so we can switch to breathing aether. But we don't want to breathe rocket fumes, so we are sealed in until then."
They were silent in the minutes after before launch. The launch process came as a total surprise to him.
His whole body was pinned firmly against the seatback and a loud roar erupted, filling their ears. For a few minutes, the roar and the pressure against the seat was intense. He suddenly felt his body let go of its impression in the seat back, and for a split second he floated, until the roar renewed and again pushed him back. There were no windows, nor way of knowing where they were.
Eventually the second "stage" finished, and he felt the air in the ship switch to aether, felt the same slimy feeling again and then it was utterly silent.
"Should be only 5 minutes or so until we dock at the station," Candidate Jenkins said.
A while later, He heard a solid ca-clunk, and the lifter rubbed up against some metallic surface.
The buckles released without either of them doing anything, and then the tube tilted open like it had before, and they were facing a series of spiraling rings, which made a steady thrum hum.
"Fly through here to get to the hub," Jenkins said as he pushed off his seat and flapped his arms like a ridiculous bird.
Adam tried to follow, but instead collided with the bulkhead of the lifter before adjusting and floating out into the station.
He tried to flap his arms, but only clumsily spun around like a top, holding on to the ring to stop his fall. He pushed off with his hands against the first ring, which finally propelled him forward.
Jenkins was floating serenely ahead of him.
Adam made a more gentle waving motion with his hands and followed.
The rings turned into a solid circular corridor, which they floated through out into a vast 3 dimensional hub.
He saw it as three dimensional because Adam could see hallways up and down, and in all four other directions too. He heard the sound of distant conversations but couldn't make any of them out.
He almost missed where Jenkins was going as he gaped at the huge cavern full of places to go and see.
He practiced fumbling about in the air until he was able to sort of careen his way after Jenkins, stumbling back in forth in slightly wrong directions. How could he learn to fly so straight like the Coordinator?
"How many hallways are there?"
"Hundreds," said Jenkins as they slipped through a narrow downward leading passage. Down was relative, of course.
Here it was quieter, as they slipped through into another smaller hub area. He tried to fly after Jenkins, constantly bumping and bumbling his way through until they had gone through another three tunnels into a small, reasonably sized room.
"Wow that was a trip," Adam said.
Jenkins said, "I've traveled through the hub hundreds of times. It gets easier, but also a little boring."
"Where are we, and how do I find my way around anywhere?"
Jenkins laughed. Instead of answering he pulled a latch on the wall and out swung a full cot, but this cot was weird, in that it had straps to keep you from floating away.
Jenkins quickly put it away.
"This is your bedroom. You'll be sleeping on a weird shift, since space is limited, and after all, we don't have sunrise and sunset here. Unless you mean every two hours. The cot is available for your use from 5 pm to 1 am. Please vacate it before 1 am to leave time for the next rotation to arrive."
Adam nodded, "and how will I know to get back here?"
"Number 623," he said and left, following another tunnel back.
They went through another series of intersections and paths. Adam could only focus on Jenkins in front of him and try to keep up as frantically as he could.
It was exhausting following Jenkins, who didn't answer any of his questions, at least not directly. They arrived at a hallway with a few rooms on both sides, each with doors and the fancy glass displays he was seeing everywhere here.
"What is this tiny little room?" Adam asked as they entered one of the rooms.
"Claustrophobia test," he said, and staying outside, closed the door on Adam. Most rooms he had seen didn't have doors, just a tunnel which provided access at any time.
The room was just big enough to stand in, and had no room for stretching or changing orientation.
There was a dial on the door. Two dials actually. They seemed to be marking the time left until the chamber would open.
Opening the door, he saw two men standing there. Both were dressed in suits (one blue, one black),
"Good morning," he said to them.
"Hello Adam, I am Coordinator Jenkins of the Candidate Evaluation Team, and this is President Wallaby of Space Inter-planetary Transport and Trade, a joint Earth - Olympus project with the Ethereals. You have been selected as a Candidate. This does not mean you are guaranteed to become a chartered transport and trade captain. Your file notes that you have a severe lack of experience in transportation and finance, and you have never been in zero gravity. Your mechanical skills are also lacking.
We intend to put you through a pretty intense bootcamp to rectify these issues, but ultimately, your success will be determined by finding limited partners to co-fund your charter. We will also go through training in how to pursue finding with potential financial partners, but that will be covered later."
"That's amazing. So where do I report to for training?" Adam said. He imagined it, but he never thought there was a reality where he could pilot a space ship.
"At the space station, you and I have an appointment with the lifter in 25 minutes," Jenkins said.
Wallaby had a few words as well. "Our reputation depends on candidates being serious, respectable and worthy of the chance they are given. Selecting you was a reach, but our resident soul specialist Numat strongly advocated for you. Get serious about learning, or stay home, Mr. Ryan."
Jenkins was impatient: "Let's hurry, you have a ridiculously busy schedule ahead of you, and I need to get back down to the planet by Friday."
It was Tuesday.
Jenkins carried nothing with him as they left, and Adam's possessions were back at the hotel as they left, climbing into a horseless carriage that was already waiting outside the hotel.
"We don't have time to travel by horse. Anyway, your personal effects will be stored until your return. These lifters are only designed to bring two men to orbit, nothing more."
He was fascinated by the carriage, but once they started moving, he sat down and held on. Why was he afraid of this kind of speed when they would soon be traveling much faster? He watched as the miles zipped by as they approached the launch site he had watched before.
He would have asked Jenkins about the carriage, except it seemed like the man was not in the mood for diversions or distractions.
"It's most efficient to go to orbit at certain times of the day. Otherwise we might have to go halfway around the world to meet with the space station, and these lifters are capable of that. So we couldn't miss this launch window," Jenkins explained as arrived at the spaceport.
With the outrageous cost of space flight for private individuals, the space port was small and almost empty, but still they had to be checked with a list of possessions banned by the Ethereals or by England. All weapons were banned in space at the insistence of the aliens. Chemicals and flammables were banned.
They made the launch window with just a few minutes to spare, having changed into outfits that reminded him of hospital clothes. The lifter on top of a launch vehicle that was only a couple stories tall, and the lifter itself was just barely big enough for the two of them to be strapped in, inside. The silver lifter vehicle was sleep and rounded, shaped like a pill. The inside had no visible hands or ways to operate the device. Jenkins and Adam were strapped in both facing forward, looking at the white wall of the interior.
They couldn't do anything but wait now, until the spaceport launched their vehicle.
"Just as a quick answer to questions you might want to ask," said Jenkins. "It's vastly cheaper to use a small lifter-craft to get into orbit than bringing the ships down to the planet."
"The other thing is, you won't have to put much money down. Obviously a young man like yourself can't afford a spaceship, and even one investor isn't enough. You will have a whole big group of investors who are invested in your craft. You may be a candidate, but to actually be accepted, you need to get to know your investment team, and choose a managing partner, who will run the financial side of things while you are traveling. All of the investors, big and small, will be observing and receiving reports on your training at the station. So after your first testing results, you will return to earth and meet with them."
"Do I get to be the captain of a ship? I love it, but I also don't know anything about being a crewman yet alone a captain?"
Jenkins chuckled. "Human spaceships like the Osprey class are not yet large enough to support more than one crew member. You need that space for your passengers. And you will find it's not that hard to navigate on your own. I've already received a request from Atiaelero Numat to travel on your first leg. I would take his request, if you get the chance to fly, of course."
Adam wondered if they needed to buckle in themselves, but soon after he thought that, two workers at the spaceport came in, and full secured them both to their seats with buckles and latches.
"If something goes wrong and the automatic release doesn't work, here is the manual release," the man said.
It wasn't even a physical lever, it was a certain location on a small glass screen that was attached to his right armwrest. The man pointed to a corner of the screen as if that meant anything to Adam.
Finally the two workers left, and they could hear as the hatch was sealed.
"Once the second stage rocket fires," Jenkins said, "the hatch seal will actually release automatically so we can switch to breathing aether. But we don't want to breathe rocket fumes, so we are sealed in until then."
They were silent in the minutes after before launch. The launch process came as a total surprise to him.
His whole body was pinned firmly against the seatback and a loud roar erupted, filling their ears. For a few minutes, the roar and the pressure against the seat was intense. He suddenly felt his body let go of its impression in the seat back, and for a split second he floated, until the roar renewed and again pushed him back. There were no windows, nor way of knowing where they were.
Eventually the second "stage" finished, and he felt the air in the ship switch to aether, felt the same slimy feeling again and then it was utterly silent.
"Should be only 5 minutes or so until we dock at the station," Candidate Jenkins said.
A while later, He heard a solid ca-clunk, and the lifter rubbed up against some metallic surface.
The buckles released without either of them doing anything, and then the tube tilted open like it had before, and they were facing a series of spiraling rings, which made a steady thrum hum.
"Fly through here to get to the hub," Jenkins said as he pushed off his seat and flapped his arms like a ridiculous bird.
Adam tried to follow, but instead collided with the bulkhead of the lifter before adjusting and floating out into the station.
He tried to flap his arms, but only clumsily spun around like a top, holding on to the ring to stop his fall. He pushed off with his hands against the first ring, which finally propelled him forward.
Jenkins was floating serenely ahead of him.
Adam made a more gentle waving motion with his hands and followed.
The rings turned into a solid circular corridor, which they floated through out into a vast 3 dimensional hub.
He saw it as three dimensional because Adam could see hallways up and down, and in all four other directions too. He heard the sound of distant conversations but couldn't make any of them out.
He almost missed where Jenkins was going as he gaped at the huge cavern full of places to go and see.
He practiced fumbling about in the air until he was able to sort of careen his way after Jenkins, stumbling back in forth in slightly wrong directions. How could he learn to fly so straight like the Coordinator?
"How many hallways are there?"
"Hundreds," said Jenkins as they slipped through a narrow downward leading passage. Down was relative, of course.
Here it was quieter, as they slipped through into another smaller hub area. He tried to fly after Jenkins, constantly bumping and bumbling his way through until they had gone through another three tunnels into a small, reasonably sized room.
"Wow that was a trip," Adam said.
Jenkins said, "I've traveled through the hub hundreds of times. It gets easier, but also a little boring."
"Where are we, and how do I find my way around anywhere?"
Jenkins laughed. Instead of answering he pulled a latch on the wall and out swung a full cot, but this cot was weird, in that it had straps to keep you from floating away.
Jenkins quickly put it away.
"This is your bedroom. You'll be sleeping on a weird shift, since space is limited, and after all, we don't have sunrise and sunset here. Unless you mean every two hours. The cot is available for your use from 5 pm to 1 am. Please vacate it before 1 am to leave time for the next rotation to arrive."
Adam nodded, "and how will I know to get back here?"
"Number 623," he said and left, following another tunnel back.
They went through another series of intersections and paths. Adam could only focus on Jenkins in front of him and try to keep up as frantically as he could.
It was exhausting following Jenkins, who didn't answer any of his questions, at least not directly. They arrived at a hallway with a few rooms on both sides, each with doors and the fancy glass displays he was seeing everywhere here.
"What is this tiny little room?" Adam asked as they entered one of the rooms.
"Claustrophobia test," he said, and staying outside, closed the door on Adam. Most rooms he had seen didn't have doors, just a tunnel which provided access at any time.
The room was just big enough to stand in, and had no room for stretching or changing orientation.
There was a dial on the door. Two dials actually. They seemed to be marking the time left until the chamber would open.
Sisters 6
- Location
- Michigan
The sect had seen a flood of Seekers of every level of ability. Lucille ran sect admissions together with Tim and Hanna.
They set a firm policy on maximum growth in outer sect, inner sect, core and elder per year. The funding as a silver seal covered more but the culture didn't.
-*-
Tim: what is your honest opinion on Women becoming swordswomen?
Elder Candidate: I think they've earned that right?
Lucille: what do you think woman still shouldn't be doing?
Candidate: I think the Monastic and pugilist communities should keep their all male status.
Hanna: what is your Sword Dao?
Candidate: The sword protects life as it takes life. I stand against the enemy of my family.
^^
We added 2 elders, but over 1000 outer sect members. We hired from around the surrounding region to start all of our new facilities. We built to a higher standard as an Emperor's silver star sect.
We promoted internally where we could but our leaders grew by 500% over the next 2 years, also we recruited an elder coming over from the Rose blossom sect, as head of Grace and Gratitude, the program all members had to follow not just the fan wielders.
It was toned back but stiffened in other ways from the Rose Blossom sect. Less fashion and persuasion, more elite esprit de corps and discipline. We were a graceful sect of emperor's favor, but still warriors in our own right.
—<#
Anna was just as new to the current grounds of the Graceful Sword and Fan sect as the Imperial Guard detachment who surrounded her.
They were headed to the new Amphitheater for sect wide speakers and events. This was a proper sect in full now. Sect members were still waiting in line as the delegation passed through.
She was dressed down, in a silver blouse and white slacks. She would be sparring so fancy attire wasn't appropriate. She felt a strong desire to represent the Emperor well.
It was amazing to see the multitudes here now, their little idea for a sect had grown and grown.
They met Lucille and the three other executives at the center of the amphitheater.
"Good to see you Anna."
"Welcome Consort Ohnahni."
"Thank you, it's exciting to see what you've done with the sect. The Emperor sends his warmest regards."
Motioning to her two Duty sergeants, they passed two perfectly white cases to her.
"The sword of my Youth, say hi Aida," she said as she pulled out her first sword.
She made the sword hover in the air where Aida stood on blade's edge.
Drawing the second sword, "Markus, James come out."
"Leopold," she continued.
Her trainer and captain of the detachment stepped away from the rest.
"Brute force is useful,"
Leopold prepared an overwhelming attack, one so powerful the audience hushed.
Anna took the Emperor's sword, stepped cleanly to the side of the attack, and in towards Leopold's heart.
"But telegraphing a powerful attack gives you the option to avoid it."
"Movement on attack, movement on defense is key."
Leopold adjusted his attack, taking the same flexible movement. Strike, deflecting, movement press and strike again.
"Your advanced powers should smoothly go together with your combat style. I cannot fight like Leopold."
Leopold strikes, his sword sprouting flame in each moment, in order to neutralize the waters. Anna strikes in long motions in which water bubbles out.
"Practice with those who are stronger than you, I hope you don't have to face Divine power, but Leopold are you ready?"
"Yes, milady."
She weaved an attack where Aida piloted her sword to add extra strikes, while she struck with Mark and James' sword.
Leopold kept his distance, deflecting and seeking opportunities to strike.
"Next," said Leopold.
With one sword again, she brought the divinity back into the waters, overwhelming Leopold's Fire. Leopold stayed further back, taking a minor wound to his shoulder.
"Against stronger opponents, hold on until help arrives. Against weaker opponents, remove all openings. Demonstrate your quality not just your main strike.
If you have to risk your life, with no help coming, then look for an opening or unusual approach.
They stood at ready positions again, and now Leopold fired the cultivators gun. Anna dodged away.
"Didn't take a chance on an attack you don't recognize."
"Thank you Leopold. Now, thank his Imperial highness, that one greater than I has graced your presence. We really can't even fully spar at my level yet alone his without damaging sect grounds, but we can demonstrate our styles a bit. I imagine Chief Swordmaster Tim would recognize my style has changed, and so will yours as you ascend, but beginning with Humility and Grace you can find a solid starting point.
Are you willing, Steven?"
This new Divine favor cultivator landed from above.
Three swords swung at Anna in formation, burning with Divine lightning. She dashed back, and golden water resisted the lightning, just barely. Aida positioned the second sword to block and attack as Anna did the same. Thunder flashed and rain fell,
The battle drifted away from swords in one moment as water and lightning clashed, in the next moment swords met, and intense collisions forced Anna back.
She almost drew more power then but she stopped.
Three lightning bolts struck Steven, not harming him but lifting him into the sky.
"Let your sword arts and Fan arts soar. Headmaster Lucille?"
"Actually, I am the Sect's High Champion now. We have formalized your prior role. I've handed off chief administrator duties to a very well trained leader and staff, and I've been going on those same missions you once did."
"Great! Of course I'll be there if the sect is called up to join in any new wars, but I've become part of the Emperor's team of champions on international missions. I'm actually the junior member of that team. In addition to Steven, there's a Senior Divine Cultivator who is in the late stages of Divine cultivation. She's our last response on these missions. At her level, the fighters seems dominated by sheer power, becoming something new once again.
I'll hold back Aida and stick to Elemental water."
Lucille's fan now had sharp dagger points at the end of each segment of the fan.
<>
Lucille leapt and weaved her body around to avoid strikes, but wasn't able to get an opportunity to get close. Rose petals became thorny and ripped into the waters coming off Anna's sword, but her basics were even better now.
The thrown daggers she released, and Anna adjusted, Lucille pushed away her sisters sword with her fan, always possessing poise until the next surprise.
She folded the fan down to submit. Parts of the fan were in danger from mighty waters.
"Thank you. All of you, Sword cultivators as well, would do well to learn from your Champion's style," Anna said
With business-like efficiency Anna and her group left after the demonstration. She was used to battling Tim and putting heavy pressure on him. The fan just didn't suit her requirements anymore, but how could she turn away from it?"
Lucille went up to the stage. "I hope that's an encouragement as we set the new higher standard for our sect."
—()—
"She fought inspired, knowing my limitations and working against my surprises," Lucille said as she sparred with Hannah.
Hanna feinted with the sword, bursting in with fan as they sparred.
"I'm still missing something," Lucille said.
<>
Tim spent a few minutes evaluating each Core sect swordsman or women. There were more men in the lower ranks, but about 50-50 at core.
"You are very good at all the fundamentals except one. Your psychology is hurting you. Be confident but humble. The arrogant mind assumes her enemy can't stop an attack. The true sworder assumes he can."
"More support from your lower body, you're putting too much stress on your hands and arms."
<>
Anna, Steven and Arielle stood with the Emperor and his senior guards. It was an international meeting setup at the Island of Four Emperors.
Daimon had grown into an affinity for staff cultivation, which reached the Opening stage early.
The powers of Divine Wind could spring forth from his Staff, but his Staff cultivation, apart from its power source, was at the opening stage.
Arielle used Divine fire, Steven lightning.
The emperors made their greetings, and Anna stood back with the others. Once they went into the meeting hall, the cultivators gathered.
"A new one for the Emperor of Bronze I see."
"Arielle, arena 1?" Asked one of the other Senior cultivators.
"Come on, we'll watch the lower end spars, I'll tell you about what we do here while our Emperor is in talking with the others over these days," Steven said.
Two of the junior cultivators started sparring in arena 4 and Anna and Steven watched.
"We spar and practice with our peers from the other nations. Arielle and Joseph are the two strongest cultivators of all 12 of us so they are sparring. You'll have a chance to learn and test yourself in the last arena. Each arena provides more protection from powerful abilities than the last. Arena 4 isn't much more than arenas back home
Arena 1 can contain astounding amounts of power without leaking damage.
We also go on missions to acquaint ourselves with the group. We'll meet up with our leaders later and socialize as well."
*
As the second most junior of the 12, Jacob was nonetheless significantly more advanced in cultivation and fighting than Anna.
"Develop beyond the single body, single sword mindset!"
Jacob disappeared and his peculiar swords, fencing rapiers, appeared all around him.
Multiple rapiers deflecting her attempts and exploded her divine waters. His element seemed to be metal, and it gave him the power to form more and more rapiers.
She tried to parry every rapier, giving full force to her natural ability but she was still stuck in her old habits. Start again. It was good that she was humbled.
Start again.
Just for a moment her consciousness occupied more, the water surged between her two swords, and gave her full control and power over both.
He was toying with her, she thought.
"Come on. Gotta let the other juniors spar here too."
*
She worked with the Chief administration to create a position of Chief Socialite, giving the top Cultivator position to Tim or Ryan, a newer elder recruit who was the most advanced of the new bunch in Graceful Sword and Fan.
The Chief Socialite would be filled by the most socially charismatic cultivator, judged by Fan sect standards, but anyone could obtain it.
Many of the recruits from Fan sects had already started events where they invited Paraan city elites, and soon the city was inviting notables of the most prestigious sect in their city to all kinds of occasions and events.
Lucille had told them she was off-limits before when she became highest cultivator, but now she found invites easy. Rejoining society after the years focused down to a sect's boundaries helped her.
Even her cultivation was improving again.
It wasn't just Paraan locals, but influencers from the region showed up, especially once one of the sect founders attended.
She kept up her chats with Anna and filled people in when Anna let her.
"My sister is with the Conclave of Four Emperors. She says she is still the most junior of all of them in that crowd."
"Why didn't you move the sect closer to the Capital city when you gained Silver seal status," asked one of the influencers from another city.
The mayor spoke up, "We were confident we could serve our distinguished sect's new needs and enough people poured into the city to help construct the new compound."
Lucille spoke up, "we think a sect should remember its roots, these leaves and branches started with the root, which is our unique philosophy and also this city."
**^
Daimon was planning a complex military operation with the three other emperors. The Jade Falcon empire had been attacked by the Divine Dragon, a sect that had reached Empire status on its own. Now they feared the Divine Dragon was getting ready to strike again.
The four emperors had agreed to work together to either destroy or severely weaken the sect.
The upshot for her was more time training with Jacob.
She learned to express her sword spirits better. And now could bring 5 swords to bear, one each for her three spirits, and the 2 physical swords.,
She could only briefly control all 5 effectively.
The day after the announcement about a longer stay, the 12 of them went on their first adventure.
"Many Grand Duchies and Kingdoms exist without Divine level power. They often call for aid in their internal disputes or when fighting monsters or even evil cultivators."
She never realized so many smaller nations existed.
Arielle and Joseph went ahead to gather a conclave of small nations.
"I own several hundred rapiers, I only use the best 20 or so. Get some real swords for your spirits, and then go nuts from there. You have to have some serious money saved up," Jacob said.
"I put a lot into founding a sect with my sister. I'll see what I can find when we get back."
"Make Sure they are well made swords, I had some problems with that early on."
**
Representatives of all Sects were called to the capital, as well as all strong members of Bronze, Silver and Gold seal sects. The Emperor declared war on a very powerful nation-level sect, as required by their treaty obligations to Jade Falcon empire.
The Imperial Army was calling up all its reservists as well.
The sight of such forces astonished Tim when he lead them into the silver seal formation. Their sect was a smaller rectangle in an ordered group of Silver seal sects. The bronze seals to their left, and gold to their right.
The regular sects gathered all together, containing only a tithe of three elders per sect.
The Official in charge of Proclamations stood beside the general of the Imperial army and three others. One of them was Anna.
"The advance on the Divine Dragon sect must me made with more coordination than our normal approach. General Sang will lead the Imperial army's advance, as a blocking force. The Sects will lead the charge.
All Sect members who are below manifestation, please report to the army for the duration of this war."
Most sects didn't bring any juniors, but a few did, and a trickle of cultivators left for the army.
"Representatives from His Imperial majesty's sects, and His Writ of the Bronze Seal sects shall follow Consort Ohnani's command. While she is still exploring the Divine Waters of Lake Myleh, she is quite capable. Her sword techniques have expanded from two to five swords already."
Lucille was interested in seeing the latest evolution of her sister's power.
"His Imperial Majesty's Writ of the Silver Seal Sect shall follow Cultivator Deveroux. The lightning cloud of swords shall guide you."
"His Imperial Majesty's Writ of the Gold Seal Sect shall follow Cultivator Od'assan. For the first time, our last and most powerful cultivator shall charge forth with all of her powers rather than staying in reserve."
"His Imperial Majesty reminds you to observe the honor and safety codes. If a battle breaks out between Divine cultivators, those of the Opening stage and below should keep their distance and seek advantage in another way. Be prepared to divide your sect forces by stage."
"There are hundreds of miles to reach our target, so we will provide a flight beacon for each of the 4 groups."
They set a firm policy on maximum growth in outer sect, inner sect, core and elder per year. The funding as a silver seal covered more but the culture didn't.
-*-
Tim: what is your honest opinion on Women becoming swordswomen?
Elder Candidate: I think they've earned that right?
Lucille: what do you think woman still shouldn't be doing?
Candidate: I think the Monastic and pugilist communities should keep their all male status.
Hanna: what is your Sword Dao?
Candidate: The sword protects life as it takes life. I stand against the enemy of my family.
^^
We added 2 elders, but over 1000 outer sect members. We hired from around the surrounding region to start all of our new facilities. We built to a higher standard as an Emperor's silver star sect.
We promoted internally where we could but our leaders grew by 500% over the next 2 years, also we recruited an elder coming over from the Rose blossom sect, as head of Grace and Gratitude, the program all members had to follow not just the fan wielders.
It was toned back but stiffened in other ways from the Rose Blossom sect. Less fashion and persuasion, more elite esprit de corps and discipline. We were a graceful sect of emperor's favor, but still warriors in our own right.
—<#
Anna was just as new to the current grounds of the Graceful Sword and Fan sect as the Imperial Guard detachment who surrounded her.
They were headed to the new Amphitheater for sect wide speakers and events. This was a proper sect in full now. Sect members were still waiting in line as the delegation passed through.
She was dressed down, in a silver blouse and white slacks. She would be sparring so fancy attire wasn't appropriate. She felt a strong desire to represent the Emperor well.
It was amazing to see the multitudes here now, their little idea for a sect had grown and grown.
They met Lucille and the three other executives at the center of the amphitheater.
"Good to see you Anna."
"Welcome Consort Ohnahni."
"Thank you, it's exciting to see what you've done with the sect. The Emperor sends his warmest regards."
Motioning to her two Duty sergeants, they passed two perfectly white cases to her.
"The sword of my Youth, say hi Aida," she said as she pulled out her first sword.
She made the sword hover in the air where Aida stood on blade's edge.
Drawing the second sword, "Markus, James come out."
"Leopold," she continued.
Her trainer and captain of the detachment stepped away from the rest.
"Brute force is useful,"
Leopold prepared an overwhelming attack, one so powerful the audience hushed.
Anna took the Emperor's sword, stepped cleanly to the side of the attack, and in towards Leopold's heart.
"But telegraphing a powerful attack gives you the option to avoid it."
"Movement on attack, movement on defense is key."
Leopold adjusted his attack, taking the same flexible movement. Strike, deflecting, movement press and strike again.
"Your advanced powers should smoothly go together with your combat style. I cannot fight like Leopold."
Leopold strikes, his sword sprouting flame in each moment, in order to neutralize the waters. Anna strikes in long motions in which water bubbles out.
"Practice with those who are stronger than you, I hope you don't have to face Divine power, but Leopold are you ready?"
"Yes, milady."
She weaved an attack where Aida piloted her sword to add extra strikes, while she struck with Mark and James' sword.
Leopold kept his distance, deflecting and seeking opportunities to strike.
"Next," said Leopold.
With one sword again, she brought the divinity back into the waters, overwhelming Leopold's Fire. Leopold stayed further back, taking a minor wound to his shoulder.
"Against stronger opponents, hold on until help arrives. Against weaker opponents, remove all openings. Demonstrate your quality not just your main strike.
If you have to risk your life, with no help coming, then look for an opening or unusual approach.
They stood at ready positions again, and now Leopold fired the cultivators gun. Anna dodged away.
"Didn't take a chance on an attack you don't recognize."
"Thank you Leopold. Now, thank his Imperial highness, that one greater than I has graced your presence. We really can't even fully spar at my level yet alone his without damaging sect grounds, but we can demonstrate our styles a bit. I imagine Chief Swordmaster Tim would recognize my style has changed, and so will yours as you ascend, but beginning with Humility and Grace you can find a solid starting point.
Are you willing, Steven?"
This new Divine favor cultivator landed from above.
Three swords swung at Anna in formation, burning with Divine lightning. She dashed back, and golden water resisted the lightning, just barely. Aida positioned the second sword to block and attack as Anna did the same. Thunder flashed and rain fell,
The battle drifted away from swords in one moment as water and lightning clashed, in the next moment swords met, and intense collisions forced Anna back.
She almost drew more power then but she stopped.
Three lightning bolts struck Steven, not harming him but lifting him into the sky.
"Let your sword arts and Fan arts soar. Headmaster Lucille?"
"Actually, I am the Sect's High Champion now. We have formalized your prior role. I've handed off chief administrator duties to a very well trained leader and staff, and I've been going on those same missions you once did."
"Great! Of course I'll be there if the sect is called up to join in any new wars, but I've become part of the Emperor's team of champions on international missions. I'm actually the junior member of that team. In addition to Steven, there's a Senior Divine Cultivator who is in the late stages of Divine cultivation. She's our last response on these missions. At her level, the fighters seems dominated by sheer power, becoming something new once again.
I'll hold back Aida and stick to Elemental water."
Lucille's fan now had sharp dagger points at the end of each segment of the fan.
<>
Lucille leapt and weaved her body around to avoid strikes, but wasn't able to get an opportunity to get close. Rose petals became thorny and ripped into the waters coming off Anna's sword, but her basics were even better now.
The thrown daggers she released, and Anna adjusted, Lucille pushed away her sisters sword with her fan, always possessing poise until the next surprise.
She folded the fan down to submit. Parts of the fan were in danger from mighty waters.
"Thank you. All of you, Sword cultivators as well, would do well to learn from your Champion's style," Anna said
With business-like efficiency Anna and her group left after the demonstration. She was used to battling Tim and putting heavy pressure on him. The fan just didn't suit her requirements anymore, but how could she turn away from it?"
Lucille went up to the stage. "I hope that's an encouragement as we set the new higher standard for our sect."
—()—
"She fought inspired, knowing my limitations and working against my surprises," Lucille said as she sparred with Hannah.
Hanna feinted with the sword, bursting in with fan as they sparred.
"I'm still missing something," Lucille said.
<>
Tim spent a few minutes evaluating each Core sect swordsman or women. There were more men in the lower ranks, but about 50-50 at core.
"You are very good at all the fundamentals except one. Your psychology is hurting you. Be confident but humble. The arrogant mind assumes her enemy can't stop an attack. The true sworder assumes he can."
"More support from your lower body, you're putting too much stress on your hands and arms."
<>
Anna, Steven and Arielle stood with the Emperor and his senior guards. It was an international meeting setup at the Island of Four Emperors.
Daimon had grown into an affinity for staff cultivation, which reached the Opening stage early.
The powers of Divine Wind could spring forth from his Staff, but his Staff cultivation, apart from its power source, was at the opening stage.
Arielle used Divine fire, Steven lightning.
The emperors made their greetings, and Anna stood back with the others. Once they went into the meeting hall, the cultivators gathered.
"A new one for the Emperor of Bronze I see."
"Arielle, arena 1?" Asked one of the other Senior cultivators.
"Come on, we'll watch the lower end spars, I'll tell you about what we do here while our Emperor is in talking with the others over these days," Steven said.
Two of the junior cultivators started sparring in arena 4 and Anna and Steven watched.
"We spar and practice with our peers from the other nations. Arielle and Joseph are the two strongest cultivators of all 12 of us so they are sparring. You'll have a chance to learn and test yourself in the last arena. Each arena provides more protection from powerful abilities than the last. Arena 4 isn't much more than arenas back home
Arena 1 can contain astounding amounts of power without leaking damage.
We also go on missions to acquaint ourselves with the group. We'll meet up with our leaders later and socialize as well."
*
As the second most junior of the 12, Jacob was nonetheless significantly more advanced in cultivation and fighting than Anna.
"Develop beyond the single body, single sword mindset!"
Jacob disappeared and his peculiar swords, fencing rapiers, appeared all around him.
Multiple rapiers deflecting her attempts and exploded her divine waters. His element seemed to be metal, and it gave him the power to form more and more rapiers.
She tried to parry every rapier, giving full force to her natural ability but she was still stuck in her old habits. Start again. It was good that she was humbled.
Start again.
Just for a moment her consciousness occupied more, the water surged between her two swords, and gave her full control and power over both.
He was toying with her, she thought.
"Come on. Gotta let the other juniors spar here too."
*
She worked with the Chief administration to create a position of Chief Socialite, giving the top Cultivator position to Tim or Ryan, a newer elder recruit who was the most advanced of the new bunch in Graceful Sword and Fan.
The Chief Socialite would be filled by the most socially charismatic cultivator, judged by Fan sect standards, but anyone could obtain it.
Many of the recruits from Fan sects had already started events where they invited Paraan city elites, and soon the city was inviting notables of the most prestigious sect in their city to all kinds of occasions and events.
Lucille had told them she was off-limits before when she became highest cultivator, but now she found invites easy. Rejoining society after the years focused down to a sect's boundaries helped her.
Even her cultivation was improving again.
It wasn't just Paraan locals, but influencers from the region showed up, especially once one of the sect founders attended.
She kept up her chats with Anna and filled people in when Anna let her.
"My sister is with the Conclave of Four Emperors. She says she is still the most junior of all of them in that crowd."
"Why didn't you move the sect closer to the Capital city when you gained Silver seal status," asked one of the influencers from another city.
The mayor spoke up, "We were confident we could serve our distinguished sect's new needs and enough people poured into the city to help construct the new compound."
Lucille spoke up, "we think a sect should remember its roots, these leaves and branches started with the root, which is our unique philosophy and also this city."
**^
Daimon was planning a complex military operation with the three other emperors. The Jade Falcon empire had been attacked by the Divine Dragon, a sect that had reached Empire status on its own. Now they feared the Divine Dragon was getting ready to strike again.
The four emperors had agreed to work together to either destroy or severely weaken the sect.
The upshot for her was more time training with Jacob.
She learned to express her sword spirits better. And now could bring 5 swords to bear, one each for her three spirits, and the 2 physical swords.,
She could only briefly control all 5 effectively.
The day after the announcement about a longer stay, the 12 of them went on their first adventure.
"Many Grand Duchies and Kingdoms exist without Divine level power. They often call for aid in their internal disputes or when fighting monsters or even evil cultivators."
She never realized so many smaller nations existed.
Arielle and Joseph went ahead to gather a conclave of small nations.
"I own several hundred rapiers, I only use the best 20 or so. Get some real swords for your spirits, and then go nuts from there. You have to have some serious money saved up," Jacob said.
"I put a lot into founding a sect with my sister. I'll see what I can find when we get back."
"Make Sure they are well made swords, I had some problems with that early on."
**
Representatives of all Sects were called to the capital, as well as all strong members of Bronze, Silver and Gold seal sects. The Emperor declared war on a very powerful nation-level sect, as required by their treaty obligations to Jade Falcon empire.
The Imperial Army was calling up all its reservists as well.
The sight of such forces astonished Tim when he lead them into the silver seal formation. Their sect was a smaller rectangle in an ordered group of Silver seal sects. The bronze seals to their left, and gold to their right.
The regular sects gathered all together, containing only a tithe of three elders per sect.
The Official in charge of Proclamations stood beside the general of the Imperial army and three others. One of them was Anna.
"The advance on the Divine Dragon sect must me made with more coordination than our normal approach. General Sang will lead the Imperial army's advance, as a blocking force. The Sects will lead the charge.
All Sect members who are below manifestation, please report to the army for the duration of this war."
Most sects didn't bring any juniors, but a few did, and a trickle of cultivators left for the army.
"Representatives from His Imperial majesty's sects, and His Writ of the Bronze Seal sects shall follow Consort Ohnani's command. While she is still exploring the Divine Waters of Lake Myleh, she is quite capable. Her sword techniques have expanded from two to five swords already."
Lucille was interested in seeing the latest evolution of her sister's power.
"His Imperial Majesty's Writ of the Silver Seal Sect shall follow Cultivator Deveroux. The lightning cloud of swords shall guide you."
"His Imperial Majesty's Writ of the Gold Seal Sect shall follow Cultivator Od'assan. For the first time, our last and most powerful cultivator shall charge forth with all of her powers rather than staying in reserve."
"His Imperial Majesty reminds you to observe the honor and safety codes. If a battle breaks out between Divine cultivators, those of the Opening stage and below should keep their distance and seek advantage in another way. Be prepared to divide your sect forces by stage."
"There are hundreds of miles to reach our target, so we will provide a flight beacon for each of the 4 groups."
Soar Interlude 1 - Spirit Knight of Miarahaba
- Location
- Michigan
"Up a little, half a degree."
Suniya adjusted the spirit telescope minutely, and then waited again.
"Slightly left, pan a quarter degree."
As she moved the telescope with a delicate touch, her ghost spirits all spoke together.
"THERE!"
As she looked, she felt a churning nauseous feeling. As a color, all she saw was black and putrid pinks and muddy browns. Her synesthesia encompassed smell sight and sound as she looked through the scope with horror. Greatly damaged hearts. Horrors and tortures as extreme as she had heard Earth was like pre-first contact.
Spirit sense was a multi-sensory and conceptual kind of sense, not just a visual medium, but the spirit telescope was spiritual technology which focused and magnified the spirit light arriving from far off. Made it up close, as if the rottenness she had seen was right next to her.
"What now?" She asked to her ghosts.
"..council."
She was in the tower observatory, which was itself at the highest point of Sky mountain on the larger continent of Miarahaba.
She went to the tower's utility closet and brought out a rag and cleaning solvent, and carefully wiped down the eyepiece of the telescope.
You could use a telescope at lower heights, but this one was both a visual and spirit scope, so that you could find your region of the sky to look. And this tower was built so that it stood above the yellow fog which obscured vision in low places throughout the planet.
Without vision, an Ethereal could still navigate by spirit, but the human with her could not.
Irina Tikhonovna, a human mechanic from the coldest parts of Earth, offered to come with Suniya and make any needed repairs or improvements to the scope. She had lived on the planet for a few years learning to repair all kinds of equipment and even ships, both Ethereal made and human-made.
Humans were quite mechanically gifted, she admitted.
"Hands"
She nodded to the ghost who resided in her. While her people had hands, they were webbed, so really they didn't have the separate fingers for delicate work.
After cleaning the scope, she put away the cleaner, snuffing out the small yellow candles which had provided a little light for their nighttime work.
She leapt into the air, flying down and then through the middle gap between the zig-zagging steps, until she reached the bottom, flipping right-side up with a flair, and landing neatly at the bottom.
It was pea soup down here, like usual. She barely saw Irina putting on her wing-suit as she opened the door at the base of the steps and then closed it behind her.
"Are you ready?" she asked Irina.
Irina nodded, "lets go."
Irina had some humans food with her, sweet biscuits and jerky, ready to go, for in flight fueling.
Suniya would wait until they returned home. The sights and spirits of flying refreshed her, plus flying was more difficult for humans, even with a wing suit.
Without another word, she jumped back into the air and began to rise quickly high into the air. She loved being up and out of the mist.
This was an isolated part of the planet, with few of her people living around here. The tower was the only structure for miles around. So when she glanced around, the only spirit sight she caught was Irina behind her.
She had a steel-gray sort of spirit, according to Suniya's synathesia. Detailed, persistent, someone who considers all factors, and does not ignore those that are inconvenient. A great spirit for a mechanic, as long as you didn't mind paying to fix everything wrong with what she worked on.
Suniya flew ahead, feeling joyful in the cold air, spinning and doing great figure eights which gave Irina time to catch up.
They played little games in the air, tagging each other, trying to fly under and over each other. Irina was still learning to fly, while she had flown since she was barely a toddler, so she had a huge advantage, but Suniya still thought Irina enjoyed the little games they played.
After a while, she could tell Irina was getting tired, so they just flew on straight and peaceful. She began to spot signs of other people below them, and a few who were also flying.
Irina was slowly sinking, as they approached home. Humans were more dense relative to their surface area, so whereas she could easily float, Irina had to constantly put forth a big effort.
Finally she descended as well, using her friend who was staying at her house as a beacon. She knew her friend by spirit sight so she could simply follow that as her lighthouse. She couldn't see anything but the yellowish fog, but with her spirit sight she could find the right place.
Irina would have landed outside town, and followed the rope which strangers (and humans!) use to find their way if they aren't familiar with anyone in town. It'll take her right to the center of town.
She knew most of the people in town, however, so she could move around by recognition and familiarity.
It was surprisingly easy to end up in someone's yard by accident, if you thought you knew exactly where you were without checking.
Her friend waved to Suniya as she landed outside her small house. There were just a few overgrown bushes around her house, and yet by local standards she had a nice garden. Since you could rarely see your own garden, few bothered to have one.
"So you're back," said her friend.
Suniya answered, "Bad news. You may want to come to the council. I have to make my report."
"I don't want to take up a spot when there are so many who attend. I'll wait to hear from you."
"Well, we found another planet. The ghosts, some of them, knew of it and directed my search."
"I thought all the planets were mapped out long ago?" asked her friend.
"So did I. This one is near the edge of—well everything. It's orbiting only a few days in from the aethershock."
"Go. I think Isaeti is at the council chamber," her friend said.
Orothurise Isaeti had a characteristic spirit, placid, responsible, able to argue without heat and noise.
She took her handheld scope out from the small belt pouch she wore around her waist. After a few minutes she spotted what looked like Isaeti.
"I'll see you soon," she said to her friend and flew off.
It turned out that Isaeti, Councilor Isaeti to be strict, was in one of the offices off to the side of the main council chamber. He was holding a big piece of paper right up to his face when she entered.
"Councilor," she said softly.
"Woah, you scared me. Knight Suniya, I didn't expect to see you back yet."
"The old ones showed me where to look. And the human, Mechanic Irina. She repaired the scope. We found the planet the old ones were talking about."
"Well that's good to hear. Do you want to call a session of the council to report your findings?"
Suniya hesitated and then confirmed, "Yes. What was found is surely disturbing and We need to take action."
"Well then I will ask for a rapid session of the council for tomorrow morning. I'm afraid the other councilors won't be able to gather together until then, as many are far afield. We won't have all of them, but we should make quorum."
"What do you need to know to get the others informed?" Suniya asked.
"Can you give us a rough category for the session?"
Suniya considered this. "Mercy Missions. An expedition should be sent to determine what happened, and provide aid."
"Very well, I will send messages to the others."
Suniya said her goodbyes with the Councilor and returned to spend time with her friend at her own house.
It was late, very late. The thick fog was even invisible in the dark blackness before dawn.
Her friend had asked if the ghosts would tell a story. So she released the 5 of them to tell it. They looked like little wisps of white in the air.
Two of them were very old souls, and three were from the more recent generations of her own ancestors.
The oldest souls spoke together, taking turns.
"We will tell you the tale of the Co-Settled World. The one you spied in your optics this afternoon."
Humans only saw us Ethereals on occasion. Across the whole Earth, we would only arrive every few years, and in a particular region, perhaps only once every hundred years. We spent our time at different places during every visit, to try to provide wisdom in all the regions of the world.
Jocum joined our Earth project a decade after I joined, and only a few dozen of us were interested in Earth. We had a few ships, and a few backers to pay our way. The Humans were still so primitive they could only trade a few raw materials that we had much lack of.
The Humans missed us so much when we were gone that they constantly asked to come back with us. But we didn't have the support of all our people, so we couldn't bring humans back like you do now.
That was when we spotted the same planet with our telescopes. You won't find any, even amongst our team, who defend what we did next.
We decided that we should build a colony on that world we had spotted, where Humans and Ethereals lived together. Many of our people volunteered to go colonize the planet, and we even spoke privately with others about the idea, but never informed our local councils.
We held a lottery, with each human getting more tickets if they had more skills, and balancing out the lack of woman who wanted to go by giving them more tickets. We drew the lottery, but it was only by demonstrating our weapons that we prevented the humans from rushing our ship. After the lottery and the standoff, we loaded up the three hundred humans with what little things we had room for them to bring. The Ethereals were already onboard, and as we left Earth, we encouraged them all to interact.
It was three weeks later when we finally reached this new world, which we called the Co-Settled World. We didn't forsee the incredible resilience and frontiersmanship of humans until we had settled in.
Most of the Ethereals settled in the central area we had landed in, and lived a city life. They would fly around in pursuit of fruits and wild plants that were healthy to eat.
But the Humans began to establish outposts of three or four families, with their "farms". They grew crops they had brought from home. Some of the humans found fortune, and had crops which could withstand the cold and short growing season, but many had not.
When the less fortunate found that Ethereals had already picked the easy fruits and veggies, they were forced to work for the successful farmers. Many were pushed to be "sharecroppers", which meant they got access to the successful farmers' crops but had to give their boss most of what they grew.
The Humans developed a very unequal system, while we spent more time in leisure, fueled by both physical and spiritual foods. Poor humans resented the rich humans, and they both resented us. We tried the same fixes we had applied on Earth, but these farmers no longer thought of us as wise outsiders who could come in and provide a neutral solution.
There are enough humans who don't fit with our ways, that living together was not a good idea.
Many Ethereals left when the Humans began threatening our city. We never spoke of what happened to anyone. Whether any Ethereals remain on the planet we can't say, except that we doubt they even know spaceflight at this point. No one has seen any signs or made contact with that world.
The last of us who knew died four hundred years ago, but we found no peace, and thus we have lived and traveled with the Knights until we are finally ready to reveal this secret.
I don't think this is just the humans making trouble now. Something else has disturbed what was already rotten to produce soul putrescence. Now, you have seen and heard it, Knight.
"How about a happier story?" asked Suniya's friend.
Suniya adjusted the spirit telescope minutely, and then waited again.
"Slightly left, pan a quarter degree."
As she moved the telescope with a delicate touch, her ghost spirits all spoke together.
"THERE!"
As she looked, she felt a churning nauseous feeling. As a color, all she saw was black and putrid pinks and muddy browns. Her synesthesia encompassed smell sight and sound as she looked through the scope with horror. Greatly damaged hearts. Horrors and tortures as extreme as she had heard Earth was like pre-first contact.
Spirit sense was a multi-sensory and conceptual kind of sense, not just a visual medium, but the spirit telescope was spiritual technology which focused and magnified the spirit light arriving from far off. Made it up close, as if the rottenness she had seen was right next to her.
"What now?" She asked to her ghosts.
"..council."
She was in the tower observatory, which was itself at the highest point of Sky mountain on the larger continent of Miarahaba.
She went to the tower's utility closet and brought out a rag and cleaning solvent, and carefully wiped down the eyepiece of the telescope.
You could use a telescope at lower heights, but this one was both a visual and spirit scope, so that you could find your region of the sky to look. And this tower was built so that it stood above the yellow fog which obscured vision in low places throughout the planet.
Without vision, an Ethereal could still navigate by spirit, but the human with her could not.
Irina Tikhonovna, a human mechanic from the coldest parts of Earth, offered to come with Suniya and make any needed repairs or improvements to the scope. She had lived on the planet for a few years learning to repair all kinds of equipment and even ships, both Ethereal made and human-made.
Humans were quite mechanically gifted, she admitted.
"Hands"
She nodded to the ghost who resided in her. While her people had hands, they were webbed, so really they didn't have the separate fingers for delicate work.
After cleaning the scope, she put away the cleaner, snuffing out the small yellow candles which had provided a little light for their nighttime work.
She leapt into the air, flying down and then through the middle gap between the zig-zagging steps, until she reached the bottom, flipping right-side up with a flair, and landing neatly at the bottom.
It was pea soup down here, like usual. She barely saw Irina putting on her wing-suit as she opened the door at the base of the steps and then closed it behind her.
"Are you ready?" she asked Irina.
Irina nodded, "lets go."
Irina had some humans food with her, sweet biscuits and jerky, ready to go, for in flight fueling.
Suniya would wait until they returned home. The sights and spirits of flying refreshed her, plus flying was more difficult for humans, even with a wing suit.
Without another word, she jumped back into the air and began to rise quickly high into the air. She loved being up and out of the mist.
This was an isolated part of the planet, with few of her people living around here. The tower was the only structure for miles around. So when she glanced around, the only spirit sight she caught was Irina behind her.
She had a steel-gray sort of spirit, according to Suniya's synathesia. Detailed, persistent, someone who considers all factors, and does not ignore those that are inconvenient. A great spirit for a mechanic, as long as you didn't mind paying to fix everything wrong with what she worked on.
Suniya flew ahead, feeling joyful in the cold air, spinning and doing great figure eights which gave Irina time to catch up.
They played little games in the air, tagging each other, trying to fly under and over each other. Irina was still learning to fly, while she had flown since she was barely a toddler, so she had a huge advantage, but Suniya still thought Irina enjoyed the little games they played.
After a while, she could tell Irina was getting tired, so they just flew on straight and peaceful. She began to spot signs of other people below them, and a few who were also flying.
Irina was slowly sinking, as they approached home. Humans were more dense relative to their surface area, so whereas she could easily float, Irina had to constantly put forth a big effort.
Finally she descended as well, using her friend who was staying at her house as a beacon. She knew her friend by spirit sight so she could simply follow that as her lighthouse. She couldn't see anything but the yellowish fog, but with her spirit sight she could find the right place.
Irina would have landed outside town, and followed the rope which strangers (and humans!) use to find their way if they aren't familiar with anyone in town. It'll take her right to the center of town.
She knew most of the people in town, however, so she could move around by recognition and familiarity.
It was surprisingly easy to end up in someone's yard by accident, if you thought you knew exactly where you were without checking.
Her friend waved to Suniya as she landed outside her small house. There were just a few overgrown bushes around her house, and yet by local standards she had a nice garden. Since you could rarely see your own garden, few bothered to have one.
"So you're back," said her friend.
Suniya answered, "Bad news. You may want to come to the council. I have to make my report."
"I don't want to take up a spot when there are so many who attend. I'll wait to hear from you."
"Well, we found another planet. The ghosts, some of them, knew of it and directed my search."
"I thought all the planets were mapped out long ago?" asked her friend.
"So did I. This one is near the edge of—well everything. It's orbiting only a few days in from the aethershock."
"Go. I think Isaeti is at the council chamber," her friend said.
Orothurise Isaeti had a characteristic spirit, placid, responsible, able to argue without heat and noise.
She took her handheld scope out from the small belt pouch she wore around her waist. After a few minutes she spotted what looked like Isaeti.
"I'll see you soon," she said to her friend and flew off.
It turned out that Isaeti, Councilor Isaeti to be strict, was in one of the offices off to the side of the main council chamber. He was holding a big piece of paper right up to his face when she entered.
"Councilor," she said softly.
"Woah, you scared me. Knight Suniya, I didn't expect to see you back yet."
"The old ones showed me where to look. And the human, Mechanic Irina. She repaired the scope. We found the planet the old ones were talking about."
"Well that's good to hear. Do you want to call a session of the council to report your findings?"
Suniya hesitated and then confirmed, "Yes. What was found is surely disturbing and We need to take action."
"Well then I will ask for a rapid session of the council for tomorrow morning. I'm afraid the other councilors won't be able to gather together until then, as many are far afield. We won't have all of them, but we should make quorum."
"What do you need to know to get the others informed?" Suniya asked.
"Can you give us a rough category for the session?"
Suniya considered this. "Mercy Missions. An expedition should be sent to determine what happened, and provide aid."
"Very well, I will send messages to the others."
Suniya said her goodbyes with the Councilor and returned to spend time with her friend at her own house.
It was late, very late. The thick fog was even invisible in the dark blackness before dawn.
Her friend had asked if the ghosts would tell a story. So she released the 5 of them to tell it. They looked like little wisps of white in the air.
Two of them were very old souls, and three were from the more recent generations of her own ancestors.
The oldest souls spoke together, taking turns.
"We will tell you the tale of the Co-Settled World. The one you spied in your optics this afternoon."
Humans only saw us Ethereals on occasion. Across the whole Earth, we would only arrive every few years, and in a particular region, perhaps only once every hundred years. We spent our time at different places during every visit, to try to provide wisdom in all the regions of the world.
Jocum joined our Earth project a decade after I joined, and only a few dozen of us were interested in Earth. We had a few ships, and a few backers to pay our way. The Humans were still so primitive they could only trade a few raw materials that we had much lack of.
The Humans missed us so much when we were gone that they constantly asked to come back with us. But we didn't have the support of all our people, so we couldn't bring humans back like you do now.
That was when we spotted the same planet with our telescopes. You won't find any, even amongst our team, who defend what we did next.
We decided that we should build a colony on that world we had spotted, where Humans and Ethereals lived together. Many of our people volunteered to go colonize the planet, and we even spoke privately with others about the idea, but never informed our local councils.
We held a lottery, with each human getting more tickets if they had more skills, and balancing out the lack of woman who wanted to go by giving them more tickets. We drew the lottery, but it was only by demonstrating our weapons that we prevented the humans from rushing our ship. After the lottery and the standoff, we loaded up the three hundred humans with what little things we had room for them to bring. The Ethereals were already onboard, and as we left Earth, we encouraged them all to interact.
It was three weeks later when we finally reached this new world, which we called the Co-Settled World. We didn't forsee the incredible resilience and frontiersmanship of humans until we had settled in.
Most of the Ethereals settled in the central area we had landed in, and lived a city life. They would fly around in pursuit of fruits and wild plants that were healthy to eat.
But the Humans began to establish outposts of three or four families, with their "farms". They grew crops they had brought from home. Some of the humans found fortune, and had crops which could withstand the cold and short growing season, but many had not.
When the less fortunate found that Ethereals had already picked the easy fruits and veggies, they were forced to work for the successful farmers. Many were pushed to be "sharecroppers", which meant they got access to the successful farmers' crops but had to give their boss most of what they grew.
The Humans developed a very unequal system, while we spent more time in leisure, fueled by both physical and spiritual foods. Poor humans resented the rich humans, and they both resented us. We tried the same fixes we had applied on Earth, but these farmers no longer thought of us as wise outsiders who could come in and provide a neutral solution.
There are enough humans who don't fit with our ways, that living together was not a good idea.
Many Ethereals left when the Humans began threatening our city. We never spoke of what happened to anyone. Whether any Ethereals remain on the planet we can't say, except that we doubt they even know spaceflight at this point. No one has seen any signs or made contact with that world.
The last of us who knew died four hundred years ago, but we found no peace, and thus we have lived and traveled with the Knights until we are finally ready to reveal this secret.
I don't think this is just the humans making trouble now. Something else has disturbed what was already rotten to produce soul putrescence. Now, you have seen and heard it, Knight.
"How about a happier story?" asked Suniya's friend.
Soar 4
- Location
- Michigan
Adam felt his skin itch everywhere, but trapped in the confined space, he couldn't move to scratch anything.
He was obsessed with the dials counting down, but he refused to look at them, and instead kept saying, "I'll be out in no time."
He didn't like this test at all. He wasn't sure how long the dial was ticking down, but then, all of a sudden, the door clicked, and slid open.
There was an envelope taped to the side of the tunnel that lead back to a hub area
"Candidate Ryan, to be opened after Claustrophobia test."
He took the envelope and pulled its wax seal apart, reading the note inside.
"Your next test, navigation. Find your way to the far side of the space center. You may NOT ask for help from anyone. Answer any questions by saying you are headed to the ship mock operations test center. Any resources other than people are available to you."
This was what he was dreading. Trying to find his way in this labyrinth of a space station. Not only that but it was 3 dimensional with doors in 6 directions at each intersection.
He swam through the tunnel leading from the claustrophobia test, waving his hands against the thin aether.
This first hub was only 25 meters long, but there were tunnels up and down, forward and back the way he came.
Each door had a small placard with little characters. An abbreviation. "CT" on the one leading to the Claustrophobia center.
The one going up had "VL", the one going down had "H", the one going forward had "VII".
Roman numerals. He decided on a hunch, to lead after the roman numeral. He flapped and bumbled his way through the next tunnel which was larger.
VII lead out into a bigger hub, with over a dozen doorways connecting to it but after a lot of flying about to the different doorways, excusing himself when he passed another person, and looking at placards, he noticed 3 roman numeral hubs.
"I", "XII" and "IV".
Roman Numeral one seemed like the best.
As he flowed through the bigger tunnel with two others, he spotted it. It was slowly spinning upward, so that the whole structure continually rotated with respect to the cavern.
He couldn't ask for help from the people manning the greeting center. But he could look at the boards bolted to the Hull in several places with maps of the station.
Because the space center was 3d, there were a series of slices of different levels and areas as maps.
The ship mock operations center was up several levels and map north from where he was.
Which way was north? He looked around.
He familiarized himself with the next few places on the map in each direction and then went were he thought north was.
The next area through the wide tunnel was ticketing. People were both paying for cargo to be loaded on cargo transport ships, or buying tickets for the passenger ships currently at the center.
This was the west door. He came back through and went through the north door. After flying through another long tunnel, he realized he had made another oops. This was south: lobby, restaurants and bars.
He flapped his way back through the tunnel, all the way across area I again and through the northern tunnel.
He had to go up several times to get high enough in the space center, for whatever meaning height had in orbit.
There was one tunnel up here in the supply center. There were several large bulk goods stores here, which sold to ship operators.
There were seven people with badges floating around on the next level.
"Where are you headed? This is the weaponry center. You must be a licensed captain, passing the weapons responsibility test to be here."
It was hard to take a man seriously when he was floating alongside Adam, but his tone was menacing.
"Sorry about that. I'll go back down."
The man watched Adam as he went back down the tunnel.
He explored. There were hubs with no apparent use, hubs for gatherings of humans, and for Ethereals. One was a woman's travelers club, and he had noticed most of the humans were men.
He steadily tried to keep an axis of coordinates and directions in his head, but checked when he reached a map in the roman numeral VII area.
He had gone down several hundred meters instead of up. But at least his other coordinates were close.
If he went through this tunnel, and then that tunnel, and two more, then he found a nice long straight shot upward several tunnels in a row.
He tried to keep his plan in his mind, and flew, flapping with more efficiency as he continually was practicing.
After the five rising tunnels, he entered a small hub which had four doors including the one which went back down.
Three of the doors had the character D on a placard. One had SMOC.
Ship Mock Operations Center
Relieved, he flew through the tunnel, which ended at a closed door, which he bumped into. Pushing away from the door, but then grabbing it at the last minute, Adam turned the handle, and was rewarded with a mighty roar of sound.
What was inside the door was loud, and a wave of heat rushed towards him.
He peered inside the doorway.
There were running paths of conduit throughout the mid sized room. Some of it looked very hot, even glowing.
"How do I do this!" shouted someone inside.
"I'm supposed to find my way here. If this is the Ship Mock Operations Center," he said.
"Its mockery, that's for sure. Close the door!"
The speaker was a lady in her mid fourties. She wore a thick jacket with a badge: "Senior Candidate, Cargo Ship Program."
Adam came inside the room and closed the door.
"This is the advanced testing center that you won't be able to access normally, until you pass the basic tests. Presumably you are the new candidate, doing the navigation test? Well, that's the first navigation test."
She smiled.
Adam nodded. "Yeah, I got lost a few, well several times, but eventually found my way."
"You've got a lot of testing ahead of you youngster," she said. "I went through everything you have in front of you and more. There were so many candidates for the second human ship ever launched. But I got the position. Now I'm shifting to running a new model of cargo ship."
"What do I do now?" Adam asked.
"The code word is albatross. Find Coordinator Jenkins, and give him that word."
"Nice to meet you," Adam said, and he was off.
Albatross, he repeated to himself, as he flitted through caverns and tunnels without stopping to consider where he was. He retraced his steps perfectly back to the room with the maps, and he did it in record time.
Albatross…
They symbolized the rare or even unattainable. He had a hunch.
Tunnel and hub whirred past him. He was feeling great, except for once when he got a little bruised from scrapping past a wall at high speed. A little closer and he would have been beaned.
He rushed back once more the way he came, and burst out into the Ship Mock Operations Tester.
Coordinator Jenkins was with the woman who had been testing. He must have hidden himself when Adam showed up.
"I thought so," Adam said as he heard and saw Jenkins talking to the test taker.
"Well done. A few have caught on immediately, but that was pretty good. After Navigation sense testing, is the Puzzle Center. You will study a lot of things on paper which have been tabulated by our best computers."
"So I just find the center on my own?" he asked.
"Think of it as an ongoing nav-sense challenge," Jenkins said.
Twenty minutes later he joined four other testers. One of them introduced himself as an active pilot refreshing his knowledge of Ethereal etiquette.
His first puzzles were little orbital mechanics brain-benders. Golf balls with little rocket thrusters that could accelerate in a direction.
The orbit puzzles were numbered from 1 to 10, and the 10th one modeled the rocketry of Earth lifters. When did you launch the lifter, and with what propellant. The other problems used spirit power to provide thrust, and it was mostly a choice of direction and intensity to solve them.
#6, #7 and #10 stymied him. #9 was a difficult nut which he finally wormed his way through.
A new set of problems concerned operating a stellar sail, which was like Earth's sailboats but the moving fluid was aether instead of air. They all presented like this:
#11 Your passengers have an inept spiritual balance that you didn't catch before leaving the origin planet's sphere of influence. The natural spiritual power of those onboard only contributes a total of 1 foot / second / second. You need to travel widdershins, against the aether wind at a power of 500 foot / sec. What angles do you tack your sail to, relative to prevailing Aether winds, in order to maintain optimal efficiency.
These were pretty tough because he didn't know some of the terms. He tried to picture this situation and went back to his high school geometry and trigonometry.
Some of the numbers were nearly meaningless with the contrast in scale between 1 foot / second^2 and 500 foot / sec.
He decided on 45 degrees and -45 degrees but he wasn't sure how sails operated exactly.
It was going to be a grueling period that seemed a lot like his national exams back home
He was obsessed with the dials counting down, but he refused to look at them, and instead kept saying, "I'll be out in no time."
He didn't like this test at all. He wasn't sure how long the dial was ticking down, but then, all of a sudden, the door clicked, and slid open.
There was an envelope taped to the side of the tunnel that lead back to a hub area
"Candidate Ryan, to be opened after Claustrophobia test."
He took the envelope and pulled its wax seal apart, reading the note inside.
"Your next test, navigation. Find your way to the far side of the space center. You may NOT ask for help from anyone. Answer any questions by saying you are headed to the ship mock operations test center. Any resources other than people are available to you."
This was what he was dreading. Trying to find his way in this labyrinth of a space station. Not only that but it was 3 dimensional with doors in 6 directions at each intersection.
He swam through the tunnel leading from the claustrophobia test, waving his hands against the thin aether.
This first hub was only 25 meters long, but there were tunnels up and down, forward and back the way he came.
Each door had a small placard with little characters. An abbreviation. "CT" on the one leading to the Claustrophobia center.
The one going up had "VL", the one going down had "H", the one going forward had "VII".
Roman numerals. He decided on a hunch, to lead after the roman numeral. He flapped and bumbled his way through the next tunnel which was larger.
VII lead out into a bigger hub, with over a dozen doorways connecting to it but after a lot of flying about to the different doorways, excusing himself when he passed another person, and looking at placards, he noticed 3 roman numeral hubs.
"I", "XII" and "IV".
Roman Numeral one seemed like the best.
As he flowed through the bigger tunnel with two others, he spotted it. It was slowly spinning upward, so that the whole structure continually rotated with respect to the cavern.
He couldn't ask for help from the people manning the greeting center. But he could look at the boards bolted to the Hull in several places with maps of the station.
Because the space center was 3d, there were a series of slices of different levels and areas as maps.
The ship mock operations center was up several levels and map north from where he was.
Which way was north? He looked around.
He familiarized himself with the next few places on the map in each direction and then went were he thought north was.
The next area through the wide tunnel was ticketing. People were both paying for cargo to be loaded on cargo transport ships, or buying tickets for the passenger ships currently at the center.
This was the west door. He came back through and went through the north door. After flying through another long tunnel, he realized he had made another oops. This was south: lobby, restaurants and bars.
He flapped his way back through the tunnel, all the way across area I again and through the northern tunnel.
He had to go up several times to get high enough in the space center, for whatever meaning height had in orbit.
There was one tunnel up here in the supply center. There were several large bulk goods stores here, which sold to ship operators.
There were seven people with badges floating around on the next level.
"Where are you headed? This is the weaponry center. You must be a licensed captain, passing the weapons responsibility test to be here."
It was hard to take a man seriously when he was floating alongside Adam, but his tone was menacing.
"Sorry about that. I'll go back down."
The man watched Adam as he went back down the tunnel.
He explored. There were hubs with no apparent use, hubs for gatherings of humans, and for Ethereals. One was a woman's travelers club, and he had noticed most of the humans were men.
He steadily tried to keep an axis of coordinates and directions in his head, but checked when he reached a map in the roman numeral VII area.
He had gone down several hundred meters instead of up. But at least his other coordinates were close.
If he went through this tunnel, and then that tunnel, and two more, then he found a nice long straight shot upward several tunnels in a row.
He tried to keep his plan in his mind, and flew, flapping with more efficiency as he continually was practicing.
After the five rising tunnels, he entered a small hub which had four doors including the one which went back down.
Three of the doors had the character D on a placard. One had SMOC.
Ship Mock Operations Center
Relieved, he flew through the tunnel, which ended at a closed door, which he bumped into. Pushing away from the door, but then grabbing it at the last minute, Adam turned the handle, and was rewarded with a mighty roar of sound.
What was inside the door was loud, and a wave of heat rushed towards him.
He peered inside the doorway.
There were running paths of conduit throughout the mid sized room. Some of it looked very hot, even glowing.
"How do I do this!" shouted someone inside.
"I'm supposed to find my way here. If this is the Ship Mock Operations Center," he said.
"Its mockery, that's for sure. Close the door!"
The speaker was a lady in her mid fourties. She wore a thick jacket with a badge: "Senior Candidate, Cargo Ship Program."
Adam came inside the room and closed the door.
"This is the advanced testing center that you won't be able to access normally, until you pass the basic tests. Presumably you are the new candidate, doing the navigation test? Well, that's the first navigation test."
She smiled.
Adam nodded. "Yeah, I got lost a few, well several times, but eventually found my way."
"You've got a lot of testing ahead of you youngster," she said. "I went through everything you have in front of you and more. There were so many candidates for the second human ship ever launched. But I got the position. Now I'm shifting to running a new model of cargo ship."
"What do I do now?" Adam asked.
"The code word is albatross. Find Coordinator Jenkins, and give him that word."
"Nice to meet you," Adam said, and he was off.
Albatross, he repeated to himself, as he flitted through caverns and tunnels without stopping to consider where he was. He retraced his steps perfectly back to the room with the maps, and he did it in record time.
Albatross…
They symbolized the rare or even unattainable. He had a hunch.
Tunnel and hub whirred past him. He was feeling great, except for once when he got a little bruised from scrapping past a wall at high speed. A little closer and he would have been beaned.
He rushed back once more the way he came, and burst out into the Ship Mock Operations Tester.
Coordinator Jenkins was with the woman who had been testing. He must have hidden himself when Adam showed up.
"I thought so," Adam said as he heard and saw Jenkins talking to the test taker.
"Well done. A few have caught on immediately, but that was pretty good. After Navigation sense testing, is the Puzzle Center. You will study a lot of things on paper which have been tabulated by our best computers."
"So I just find the center on my own?" he asked.
"Think of it as an ongoing nav-sense challenge," Jenkins said.
Twenty minutes later he joined four other testers. One of them introduced himself as an active pilot refreshing his knowledge of Ethereal etiquette.
His first puzzles were little orbital mechanics brain-benders. Golf balls with little rocket thrusters that could accelerate in a direction.
The orbit puzzles were numbered from 1 to 10, and the 10th one modeled the rocketry of Earth lifters. When did you launch the lifter, and with what propellant. The other problems used spirit power to provide thrust, and it was mostly a choice of direction and intensity to solve them.
#6, #7 and #10 stymied him. #9 was a difficult nut which he finally wormed his way through.
A new set of problems concerned operating a stellar sail, which was like Earth's sailboats but the moving fluid was aether instead of air. They all presented like this:
#11 Your passengers have an inept spiritual balance that you didn't catch before leaving the origin planet's sphere of influence. The natural spiritual power of those onboard only contributes a total of 1 foot / second / second. You need to travel widdershins, against the aether wind at a power of 500 foot / sec. What angles do you tack your sail to, relative to prevailing Aether winds, in order to maintain optimal efficiency.
These were pretty tough because he didn't know some of the terms. He tried to picture this situation and went back to his high school geometry and trigonometry.
Some of the numbers were nearly meaningless with the contrast in scale between 1 foot / second^2 and 500 foot / sec.
He decided on 45 degrees and -45 degrees but he wasn't sure how sails operated exactly.
It was going to be a grueling period that seemed a lot like his national exams back home
Soar 5
- Location
- Michigan
The "Mutt" was an Osprey class spaceship modified for a first pilot's first real deal training flights. The student pilot station's controls could be completely overriden and locked out, or partially to the extent that any given function could be handed off to the student or the Pilot in Command (PIC).
His PIC was a Senior pilot with hundreds of flights in the Osprey class. "Flip" Johnson had that nickname because he could flip a ship faster than anyone. To flip it, you need to unload the current passengers and their effects, receive payment, run through the after-flight checklist, identify passengers and perform routine passenger checks, boarding, command authorization for release, and then the slow push away from the Space Center until you could slip into your primary trajectory start.
Adam had read about all of these things. Four hours of reading a day, 2 hours of written exams, 2 hours of situational analysis (sitsense), 2 hours of orbital analysis (orbitsense), and the rest of the time finding his way between all of these .
He had to report in as soon as he woke up, to chart his sleeping and prevent sleep deprivation. He was encouraged to spend at least an hour a day in one of the gathering places, to socialize with pilots and persons of all sorts.
He had spent two weeks at the station gradually pulling up his exams in the subjects he had studied, until new subjects were added to this repertoire. And that was without any financial study subjects. His
It seemed hard to believe that there could be so much financial material to learn when there had been so much more to do with the ship and every conceivable element of it's operation. How could he cram more in his brain? But he tried.
Now he was on his first real deal flight in a real ship, albeit a training model.
One of the Ethereals on board was able to send a sort of spiritual telegram back to Numat on Earth, and Numat was able to send a regular telegram back to his mom and dad and Wesiinh. Apparently, Numat had been asking about him by this spirit "telegram" for some time.
This training flight was out to Lunar orbit and back. Only a 2 day journey there and 3 days back, by contrast with most trips which took from two weeks up to a few months.
"There's a few bits of ship technology that we can't make on our own, and one of them is the PF analyzer, aka Persons Flying Analyzer. As any Ethereal will tell you, we all have a spiritual measurement or sensory spectrum which they can observe just matter-of-factly. Though our Spiritual Philosophies are not yet sophisticated enough to understand how a person's measurement gives way to force when properly channeled, as an empirical fact it does. We've covered the idea of having force applied to a ship in your written exams, but we haven't covered the unique aspects of your personal spirit
measurement interacting with mine, for example.
The best way I can describe it is like, if our measurements are too similar in character, it's like pointing a sail directly with the wind and observing that there is no force produced. The difference being this analogy doesn't account for several people onboard all with their own spirit dimension. happens between each pair of persons onboard.
The main obstacle to larger ships and more passengers is trying to manage all of those spirits and account for the even higher order interactions.
So as a result, even in our best attempts at managing our passengers we bring onboard a larger ship, we can only match the performance of a 3 or 4 person ship. And that takes a lot of expert Soul readers to evaluate this aether compatibility."
Adam stood close to Senior Pilot Johnson, as he kept motioning for them to get uncomfortably close so the bank of mounted camera like devices could take a spiritual picture of their combination.
His arm was pressed against Johnson's side when the Pilot finally moved.
"Done," he said, and walked up to the bank of Ethereal equipment.
He pulled out a tray which held a large piece of paper which was still dripping some kind of ink-like fluid.
Johnson looked at the paper, which was nearly completely black.
He pulled out a nearby drawer, by first lifting it up until it unlatched and it was free.
"Don't leave these drawers open, or you'll be paying a fortune in restocking things."
He took a long narrow piece of paper from the drawer. "This is a gradient chart. The more black, the better."
"I've received information about your own measurement, as well as my own. I already knew we would have a very good PF report. You never know, we may even set the Training Unit record for Earth Orbit to Lunar Orbit."
This was the little storage room behind and off to the right side of the pilot station. Directions onboard were considered thus: Pilot station side is front, force relief valves are rear. The left and right are defined relative to that preferred orientation, looking towards the Pilot Station.
Up is towards the Pilot / Ops level, down is towards the Passenger level. The Osprey is a "native-type" passenger transport ship. It supports passengers who are among the lucky 6% that can respirator spiritually, as well as almost all ethereals.
Adam felt like his head was over-full of facts, and he couldn't stop reciting them.
He had daydreams about ship layouts, and what to do in a low spirit-power situation. How to calculate the time to destination going with the Aether, and without, and sometimes if force was lacking, it was better to go all the way around, orbiting the sun once to end up at the destination.
You still needed a relative difference in velocity, or delta-v, in order to catch up to your destination, which was also orbiting in the direction of the Aether wind. Excess delta-v bled off according to a formula, which had different terms, but all human and Aether piloted ships operated in the Medium velocity regimen. The slow regimen considered orbital bodies at less than 5 foot / sec relative to Aether wind. The High regimen was for the theoretical prospect of an orbital body reaching the speed of sound in aethral medium. It was proven that this speed existed, but they didn't yet have a firm estimate.
Since the moon and Earth were both orbiting around the sun in close proximity, their velocities were almost close, except that the Moon made its 17 day orbit around the Earth, while it was making the larger orbit around the sun.
He woke, startled out of his daydreaming, as he didn't understand what Senior Pilot Johnson told him, but it was something.
"Hmm, sorry."
"Erratic throttle. You were about to send us into a real nasty spin. I'm taking directional controls. Our relative velocity is higher than the planning sheet you wrote up. Of course, you were working off of average PF for two people."
"I got distracted. Tired, head full of new things. I mean, it's exciting, but when my dreams are filled with orbital calculations, it's odd."
"It's important to pick up on these things quick. I'll have you calculate your own return. With this speed, we need to disconnect."
Flip disengaged the spirit drive, relying just on drifting towards the moon from here. The steady acceleration that had pulled them back in their seats now let up, and the slow resistance of aether to their motion would gradually slow them down.
"The plan called for 4 more hours of being plugged in, but we have overran our speed plan. Between them was a sloping navigation table, like a drafting table, but with slide rule and drafting paper and two rulers and pencils."
The circular slide rule took up half of the table, with four rings, and two sets of modifying connected rings.
The uppermost area of the ship was a small dome, accessible by a skinny tunnel up into the attic like structure where you could see half of your angles. The dome had line markings for meridian and right ascension. Getting positional angles for origin and destination, as well as solid angle for the apparent size of the destination, you could get a pretty good fix on where you were.
"You go up in the dome, and I'll rotate the ship so you can get a fix on Earth."
He took a piece of paper from the navigation table, and held it in one hand as he flapped his way up the narrow ladder.
As long as the ship didn't move suddenly, he wouldn't smash into the hull and wreck the pencil and paper he held.
He laid the paper flat against the lower hull, and pressed his palm against it until it momentarily stopped floating back up.
Flip rotated the ship, and Adam pushed off against the floor so he wouldn't slide into the far hull.
After a few seconds, the rate of rotation slowed and then stopped.
"I'll show you how to safely do an orientation change later."
*
Adam dreamt of hiking in the hilly forests of Odawa with Wesiinh near her house. Setting up camp, alongside one of the local rivers. Flipping over each other's canoes.
He woke up startled, foggy, unaware of where he was. "Wesiinh, we don't have to head home for another hour."
He was shocked out of his fog by a man's voice: "Wake up, it's time to let the rookie pilot run the show."
"Flip" Johnson. Memories filed back in, but all the technical knowledge he seemed filled with the day before was far away and distant.
"Flip" climbed into one of the sleeping nets, and shut his eyes, immediately.
He really was alone on this one.
First he floated up and over from the passenger level, up to the operations and then up the dome. The desolate moon loomed above him, but Earth was out of sight of his dome, somewhere on the other side of the ship.
Floating back down the tunnel, he examined the spirit drive. After reminding himself of the system he directed the drive to spin the ship clockwise, and then returned it to straight ahead flight.
He went up to check, and he had gone 380 degrees RA instead of 300. His declination was off by 15 degrees now too.
He was 80 too far, so he needed 280 degrees RA, and 15 degrees down.
He zipped back down to the chair, plugged in, made another manuever and was off. He needed to get the right angle so that both Earth and the Moon were visible.
The third time was close, but not quite. His forth attempt made him wonder when Flip would come running up here to dismiss him. His fifth attempt, at last, was not perfect but had both Earth and Moon in the view.
He wrote down the spherical position and solid angle for both Earth and Moon on the fluttering piece of paper. He was winded, but he kept going anyway.
He waited five minutes, watching antsily to see if Earth would fall out of the dome's view, but at the last second, he was able to record its position, and the Moon's again.
Headed back down the tunnel for what seemed like the thousandth time, he took the tattered page, and copied it's numbers to a fresh sheet.
*snap* went the pencil lead. He took another pencil, and finished copying the numbers.
You could define a coordinate system based on the ship's orientation. He knew this much. There was the spherical ascension, declination system which he had written his numbers in, but he needed a cartesian system.
Eraser handy, he proceeded to work out the transformation with the slide rule, moving it back and forth, double checking, and he fearfully rechecked everything again when he had completed Earth's first position, in ship relative x,y,z coordinates.
He erased numbers and rewrote them until the paper was almost destroyed, but at last he had completed his numbers for positions during the first check and then the second check. Transferring these to a new sheet, He took the difference, getting the full cartesian velocity, and then calculating speed.
Flip had modified the ship's orbital future while he slept.
The ship would be bound to orbit the Moon forever if he didn't do something. There were heuristics to prevent having to calculate the full nasty truth.
The ship was moving while he calculated, so his truth was getting off. He quickly scrambled to put together a flight plan as best he could. He had to stop and rack his brain several times, but finally, he estimated a correction for his time planning, and calculated a quick 30 minute acceleration, and then a 3 hour acceleration, which Flip had previously calculated from their journey out to the moon.
The 30 minute maneuver would kick his farthest distance from the moon out much further, and then when he reached that point, the 3 hour acceleration would establish the proper return trajectory. He would have to set adjustments to reach the Space Center when he got closer to Earth.
He activated the spirit drive again to start the 30 minute burn and then turned the timer dial in front of his pilot station. He relaxed again.
It might take a long time, but he should always be able to make his way back. Part of his Moon orbit was with the Aether wind, and part against it, which made a sub-solar orbit like this more challenging to calculate.
He put the technical stuff on hold though to consider Wesiinh. On one hand, he knew she was on a different path, and hadn't hesitated to pursue that path regardless of what he wanted. He was pursuing his own way. But on the other hand, she was his best friend and girlfriend before all this happened.
Between trying to find a place to live and stipend to make it in England, and then all of the constant trials and business with this SIT program, he had not had any time to consider and reflect on how it ended with them.
His path was ascending higher and higher, whatever it took, but would he find any true friends along the way, or only temporary acquaintances?
He wanted to be there to encourage Wesiinh in her path, to help her go higher and higher, whether in medicine or local politics. He couldn't follow her, but he would have cheered her on every step of the way if he could. Who would she be, and for that matter, who would he be, if he returned home.
The dial buzzed softly as it slid past it's time limit and Adam disengaged the spirit drive.
He had absorbed so much so quickly, that he feared he would lose a lot of this knowledge if he wasn't in the thick of it daily.
He adjusted the "Mutt"'s orientation so that he could judge the Earth's position. The slide rule marked out where he should approach Earth after his Lunar exit maneuver.
He needed to course correct but he couldn't recalculate now, so he used the first order approximation which he had calculated before. For each degree off course, set your acceleration angle a third degree in the opposite direction. He was 4 degrees off course RA, and 1 degree declination, so he tried to make a miniscule adjustment rightward and downward.
He began the three hour burn, setting the timer again. You could say time passed slowly, but also that it passed quickly. Both seemed right. It dragged on as he waited for the Earth to get slightly bigger in the window, but once it was passed, it seemed like it had been an instant.
What was he doing? This waiting around was something he needed to get better at or his drifting mind would lose it's sharp edge.
How successful he was, he couldn't be sure, but the ship was accelerating towards Earth now.
It was remarkable that just three weeks ago he was taking the exam for the International Relations program at Oxford. Because Wesiinh wanted to go there, and he wanted to follow along. He was glad that Numat had given the nudge to put him on this path. Rather than just studying Ethereals or other Earth nations, or even studying spaceship engineering, he was glad to actually be putting all of this knowledge into effect.
When he had the money to buy books of his own, he wanted to spend some of his time studying and learning more about space flight dynamics.
Who pays a pilot to fly to another planet, why, and at what cost? His financial education had not yet begun.
When he reached Earth orbit, Flip was back awake and took control. "When approaching final orbital manuevering, you have to go by feel. You don't have time to calculate, you could slam into another ship or the buoy at one of the Aether worlds, or the Space Center here. That's when real time nav is important."
Mutt first slowed down another 10% and descended into the altitude of the Space Center, but it was 90 degrees clockwise around the Earth, so he did something else he had not trained Adam on.
"The reverse force mode only routes 10% of available forward power into reverse. Reverse mode will require maintenance if you overuse it. Think of it as a last second tool to suddenly arrest your speed during docking. And also, a way to quickly descend and thereby speed up. By slowing down, your trajectory is descending, resulting in a faster route which catches up to the higher and slower target, in this case the space center. Speed back up before reaching the target, leaving only a small gap to make up by direct force.
"Further away means you need reverse to go faster. Up close is the normal way your mind works, forward force brings you closer. Remember the distinction. If you go slower at your current altitude you will go faster at your eventual altitude. Emphasis on eventual, if you'll be there before eventual, then proceed normally.
This forward is closer attitude however is the exception however. It only applies during final approach to docking.
As he was talking Flip had navigated them in towards the Space Center, and finally slipped into the docking bay, and suddenly stopped all velocity and nestled in with a clang.
"Reverse force, critical for final stop when docking."
His PIC was a Senior pilot with hundreds of flights in the Osprey class. "Flip" Johnson had that nickname because he could flip a ship faster than anyone. To flip it, you need to unload the current passengers and their effects, receive payment, run through the after-flight checklist, identify passengers and perform routine passenger checks, boarding, command authorization for release, and then the slow push away from the Space Center until you could slip into your primary trajectory start.
Adam had read about all of these things. Four hours of reading a day, 2 hours of written exams, 2 hours of situational analysis (sitsense), 2 hours of orbital analysis (orbitsense), and the rest of the time finding his way between all of these .
He had to report in as soon as he woke up, to chart his sleeping and prevent sleep deprivation. He was encouraged to spend at least an hour a day in one of the gathering places, to socialize with pilots and persons of all sorts.
He had spent two weeks at the station gradually pulling up his exams in the subjects he had studied, until new subjects were added to this repertoire. And that was without any financial study subjects. His
It seemed hard to believe that there could be so much financial material to learn when there had been so much more to do with the ship and every conceivable element of it's operation. How could he cram more in his brain? But he tried.
Now he was on his first real deal flight in a real ship, albeit a training model.
One of the Ethereals on board was able to send a sort of spiritual telegram back to Numat on Earth, and Numat was able to send a regular telegram back to his mom and dad and Wesiinh. Apparently, Numat had been asking about him by this spirit "telegram" for some time.
This training flight was out to Lunar orbit and back. Only a 2 day journey there and 3 days back, by contrast with most trips which took from two weeks up to a few months.
"There's a few bits of ship technology that we can't make on our own, and one of them is the PF analyzer, aka Persons Flying Analyzer. As any Ethereal will tell you, we all have a spiritual measurement or sensory spectrum which they can observe just matter-of-factly. Though our Spiritual Philosophies are not yet sophisticated enough to understand how a person's measurement gives way to force when properly channeled, as an empirical fact it does. We've covered the idea of having force applied to a ship in your written exams, but we haven't covered the unique aspects of your personal spirit
measurement interacting with mine, for example.
The best way I can describe it is like, if our measurements are too similar in character, it's like pointing a sail directly with the wind and observing that there is no force produced. The difference being this analogy doesn't account for several people onboard all with their own spirit dimension. happens between each pair of persons onboard.
The main obstacle to larger ships and more passengers is trying to manage all of those spirits and account for the even higher order interactions.
So as a result, even in our best attempts at managing our passengers we bring onboard a larger ship, we can only match the performance of a 3 or 4 person ship. And that takes a lot of expert Soul readers to evaluate this aether compatibility."
Adam stood close to Senior Pilot Johnson, as he kept motioning for them to get uncomfortably close so the bank of mounted camera like devices could take a spiritual picture of their combination.
His arm was pressed against Johnson's side when the Pilot finally moved.
"Done," he said, and walked up to the bank of Ethereal equipment.
He pulled out a tray which held a large piece of paper which was still dripping some kind of ink-like fluid.
Johnson looked at the paper, which was nearly completely black.
He pulled out a nearby drawer, by first lifting it up until it unlatched and it was free.
"Don't leave these drawers open, or you'll be paying a fortune in restocking things."
He took a long narrow piece of paper from the drawer. "This is a gradient chart. The more black, the better."
"I've received information about your own measurement, as well as my own. I already knew we would have a very good PF report. You never know, we may even set the Training Unit record for Earth Orbit to Lunar Orbit."
This was the little storage room behind and off to the right side of the pilot station. Directions onboard were considered thus: Pilot station side is front, force relief valves are rear. The left and right are defined relative to that preferred orientation, looking towards the Pilot Station.
Up is towards the Pilot / Ops level, down is towards the Passenger level. The Osprey is a "native-type" passenger transport ship. It supports passengers who are among the lucky 6% that can respirator spiritually, as well as almost all ethereals.
Adam felt like his head was over-full of facts, and he couldn't stop reciting them.
He had daydreams about ship layouts, and what to do in a low spirit-power situation. How to calculate the time to destination going with the Aether, and without, and sometimes if force was lacking, it was better to go all the way around, orbiting the sun once to end up at the destination.
You still needed a relative difference in velocity, or delta-v, in order to catch up to your destination, which was also orbiting in the direction of the Aether wind. Excess delta-v bled off according to a formula, which had different terms, but all human and Aether piloted ships operated in the Medium velocity regimen. The slow regimen considered orbital bodies at less than 5 foot / sec relative to Aether wind. The High regimen was for the theoretical prospect of an orbital body reaching the speed of sound in aethral medium. It was proven that this speed existed, but they didn't yet have a firm estimate.
Since the moon and Earth were both orbiting around the sun in close proximity, their velocities were almost close, except that the Moon made its 17 day orbit around the Earth, while it was making the larger orbit around the sun.
He woke, startled out of his daydreaming, as he didn't understand what Senior Pilot Johnson told him, but it was something.
"Hmm, sorry."
"Erratic throttle. You were about to send us into a real nasty spin. I'm taking directional controls. Our relative velocity is higher than the planning sheet you wrote up. Of course, you were working off of average PF for two people."
"I got distracted. Tired, head full of new things. I mean, it's exciting, but when my dreams are filled with orbital calculations, it's odd."
"It's important to pick up on these things quick. I'll have you calculate your own return. With this speed, we need to disconnect."
Flip disengaged the spirit drive, relying just on drifting towards the moon from here. The steady acceleration that had pulled them back in their seats now let up, and the slow resistance of aether to their motion would gradually slow them down.
"The plan called for 4 more hours of being plugged in, but we have overran our speed plan. Between them was a sloping navigation table, like a drafting table, but with slide rule and drafting paper and two rulers and pencils."
The circular slide rule took up half of the table, with four rings, and two sets of modifying connected rings.
The uppermost area of the ship was a small dome, accessible by a skinny tunnel up into the attic like structure where you could see half of your angles. The dome had line markings for meridian and right ascension. Getting positional angles for origin and destination, as well as solid angle for the apparent size of the destination, you could get a pretty good fix on where you were.
"You go up in the dome, and I'll rotate the ship so you can get a fix on Earth."
He took a piece of paper from the navigation table, and held it in one hand as he flapped his way up the narrow ladder.
As long as the ship didn't move suddenly, he wouldn't smash into the hull and wreck the pencil and paper he held.
He laid the paper flat against the lower hull, and pressed his palm against it until it momentarily stopped floating back up.
Flip rotated the ship, and Adam pushed off against the floor so he wouldn't slide into the far hull.
After a few seconds, the rate of rotation slowed and then stopped.
"I'll show you how to safely do an orientation change later."
*
Adam dreamt of hiking in the hilly forests of Odawa with Wesiinh near her house. Setting up camp, alongside one of the local rivers. Flipping over each other's canoes.
He woke up startled, foggy, unaware of where he was. "Wesiinh, we don't have to head home for another hour."
He was shocked out of his fog by a man's voice: "Wake up, it's time to let the rookie pilot run the show."
"Flip" Johnson. Memories filed back in, but all the technical knowledge he seemed filled with the day before was far away and distant.
"Flip" climbed into one of the sleeping nets, and shut his eyes, immediately.
He really was alone on this one.
First he floated up and over from the passenger level, up to the operations and then up the dome. The desolate moon loomed above him, but Earth was out of sight of his dome, somewhere on the other side of the ship.
Floating back down the tunnel, he examined the spirit drive. After reminding himself of the system he directed the drive to spin the ship clockwise, and then returned it to straight ahead flight.
He went up to check, and he had gone 380 degrees RA instead of 300. His declination was off by 15 degrees now too.
He was 80 too far, so he needed 280 degrees RA, and 15 degrees down.
He zipped back down to the chair, plugged in, made another manuever and was off. He needed to get the right angle so that both Earth and the Moon were visible.
The third time was close, but not quite. His forth attempt made him wonder when Flip would come running up here to dismiss him. His fifth attempt, at last, was not perfect but had both Earth and Moon in the view.
He wrote down the spherical position and solid angle for both Earth and Moon on the fluttering piece of paper. He was winded, but he kept going anyway.
He waited five minutes, watching antsily to see if Earth would fall out of the dome's view, but at the last second, he was able to record its position, and the Moon's again.
Headed back down the tunnel for what seemed like the thousandth time, he took the tattered page, and copied it's numbers to a fresh sheet.
*snap* went the pencil lead. He took another pencil, and finished copying the numbers.
You could define a coordinate system based on the ship's orientation. He knew this much. There was the spherical ascension, declination system which he had written his numbers in, but he needed a cartesian system.
Eraser handy, he proceeded to work out the transformation with the slide rule, moving it back and forth, double checking, and he fearfully rechecked everything again when he had completed Earth's first position, in ship relative x,y,z coordinates.
He erased numbers and rewrote them until the paper was almost destroyed, but at last he had completed his numbers for positions during the first check and then the second check. Transferring these to a new sheet, He took the difference, getting the full cartesian velocity, and then calculating speed.
Flip had modified the ship's orbital future while he slept.
The ship would be bound to orbit the Moon forever if he didn't do something. There were heuristics to prevent having to calculate the full nasty truth.
The ship was moving while he calculated, so his truth was getting off. He quickly scrambled to put together a flight plan as best he could. He had to stop and rack his brain several times, but finally, he estimated a correction for his time planning, and calculated a quick 30 minute acceleration, and then a 3 hour acceleration, which Flip had previously calculated from their journey out to the moon.
The 30 minute maneuver would kick his farthest distance from the moon out much further, and then when he reached that point, the 3 hour acceleration would establish the proper return trajectory. He would have to set adjustments to reach the Space Center when he got closer to Earth.
He activated the spirit drive again to start the 30 minute burn and then turned the timer dial in front of his pilot station. He relaxed again.
It might take a long time, but he should always be able to make his way back. Part of his Moon orbit was with the Aether wind, and part against it, which made a sub-solar orbit like this more challenging to calculate.
He put the technical stuff on hold though to consider Wesiinh. On one hand, he knew she was on a different path, and hadn't hesitated to pursue that path regardless of what he wanted. He was pursuing his own way. But on the other hand, she was his best friend and girlfriend before all this happened.
Between trying to find a place to live and stipend to make it in England, and then all of the constant trials and business with this SIT program, he had not had any time to consider and reflect on how it ended with them.
His path was ascending higher and higher, whatever it took, but would he find any true friends along the way, or only temporary acquaintances?
He wanted to be there to encourage Wesiinh in her path, to help her go higher and higher, whether in medicine or local politics. He couldn't follow her, but he would have cheered her on every step of the way if he could. Who would she be, and for that matter, who would he be, if he returned home.
The dial buzzed softly as it slid past it's time limit and Adam disengaged the spirit drive.
He had absorbed so much so quickly, that he feared he would lose a lot of this knowledge if he wasn't in the thick of it daily.
He adjusted the "Mutt"'s orientation so that he could judge the Earth's position. The slide rule marked out where he should approach Earth after his Lunar exit maneuver.
He needed to course correct but he couldn't recalculate now, so he used the first order approximation which he had calculated before. For each degree off course, set your acceleration angle a third degree in the opposite direction. He was 4 degrees off course RA, and 1 degree declination, so he tried to make a miniscule adjustment rightward and downward.
He began the three hour burn, setting the timer again. You could say time passed slowly, but also that it passed quickly. Both seemed right. It dragged on as he waited for the Earth to get slightly bigger in the window, but once it was passed, it seemed like it had been an instant.
What was he doing? This waiting around was something he needed to get better at or his drifting mind would lose it's sharp edge.
How successful he was, he couldn't be sure, but the ship was accelerating towards Earth now.
It was remarkable that just three weeks ago he was taking the exam for the International Relations program at Oxford. Because Wesiinh wanted to go there, and he wanted to follow along. He was glad that Numat had given the nudge to put him on this path. Rather than just studying Ethereals or other Earth nations, or even studying spaceship engineering, he was glad to actually be putting all of this knowledge into effect.
When he had the money to buy books of his own, he wanted to spend some of his time studying and learning more about space flight dynamics.
Who pays a pilot to fly to another planet, why, and at what cost? His financial education had not yet begun.
When he reached Earth orbit, Flip was back awake and took control. "When approaching final orbital manuevering, you have to go by feel. You don't have time to calculate, you could slam into another ship or the buoy at one of the Aether worlds, or the Space Center here. That's when real time nav is important."
Mutt first slowed down another 10% and descended into the altitude of the Space Center, but it was 90 degrees clockwise around the Earth, so he did something else he had not trained Adam on.
"The reverse force mode only routes 10% of available forward power into reverse. Reverse mode will require maintenance if you overuse it. Think of it as a last second tool to suddenly arrest your speed during docking. And also, a way to quickly descend and thereby speed up. By slowing down, your trajectory is descending, resulting in a faster route which catches up to the higher and slower target, in this case the space center. Speed back up before reaching the target, leaving only a small gap to make up by direct force.
"Further away means you need reverse to go faster. Up close is the normal way your mind works, forward force brings you closer. Remember the distinction. If you go slower at your current altitude you will go faster at your eventual altitude. Emphasis on eventual, if you'll be there before eventual, then proceed normally.
This forward is closer attitude however is the exception however. It only applies during final approach to docking.
As he was talking Flip had navigated them in towards the Space Center, and finally slipped into the docking bay, and suddenly stopped all velocity and nestled in with a clang.
"Reverse force, critical for final stop when docking."
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Soar 6
- Location
- Michigan
After Senior Pilot "Flip" Johnson's first approach and docking, Adam had joined the flight loop, an endless series of ship training, which happened in between all the normal Space Center arrivals and departures.
He had it down to a routine: find his way down to Space Control, get authorization for a specific launch time. Wait for an emergency runner to tell him to abort (telegraphs would be in space, someday, they said). If there was no emergency runner, he then left the docking bay, releasing the clasps manually.
This was a difficult job requiring a lot of force, but Johnson made it look easy. The clasps snapped shut in response to a what would be a slight force for a ship, but for a human's strength, they weren't opened back up easily.
With the clasps opened, hopefully quickly, slide away from the docking slip on reverse force. Execute a turn based on the docking bay's exit angle. Each bay had a right ascension, declination set of angles to leave on.
Once you get out of the way of the Space Center's business, then you adjust course to head in the direction of the Center's orbit of the Earth. By providing reverse power, you descend to a lower altitude, reaching a higher final speed, slipping ahead and away from the Space Center. Finally you provide forward force until you are ascending to an altitude higher and slower than the Center.
Then you slip back into a close approach at the Space Center's altitude and prepare final approach, using force and reverse force and being observant to find a docking bay that is unoccupied and will continue to be unoccupied. Finally you direct and maneuver the ship to close in on the docking bay, correct your relative orientation to match the bay's orientation, approach the bay and provide full reverse force moments before docking to prevent damaging the ship or bay.
You could do this 20 times in a day. More than that really, but the training team didn't see the benefit in providing even more, plus it provided complications and dangers for the pilots and control team that were operating non-training flights.
Flip had rode along with the first days 20, even correcting his approach on half of them that first day. The 2nd day was a gut check, completely solo flight, even if it was within Earth orbit, near the Center.
The 3rd day got easier, and the 4th and 5th day were settling in, acting like a veteran loop pilot.
"This is what happens when the lifter needs to return to Earth to lift another crew up," said Coordinator Jenkins.
The lifter bays were different, and had a high powered release system. Adam felt the thud in his chest as he and another descending pilot were catapulted away from the Center against it's orbital path.
"First descent?" asked the pilot.
"Yep," Adam said.
"You probably know already, but the lifter's only traveling a little slower than the center. We will be orbiting, gradually catching actual air, slowing down, orbiting again. About 3 hours before we land."
"How do they know where we'll land?"
"The royal navy has a presence around the world, and our launch window was timed to try to splashdown in the North Atlantic."
They couldn't see where they were at, inside the silver tube that was a lifter. They could feel the resistance slowing them down when they reached the lowest point of each orbit, but Adam wasn't exactly sure how many more orbits remained.
He was sure they had one more orbit in them when the roaring sound died down again. He had thought they'd ascended above the atmosphere again, but instead the sudden splash indicated they had landed somewhere in water, presumably an ocean.
The only sound after they submerged, rebounded and submerged again before recovering into a floating bobbing thing on the sea was the gentle sound of rain.
Adam drifted off to sleep, thinking about Lake Michigan, as the sound of the ocean filled his dream.
A loud clang woke him up sometime later. He could here a winch pulling the lifter canister up.
Finally after even more waiting the sealed hatch swung open.
"HMS Superb welcomes you. You almost landed on top of us. Only 20 miles off course."
Adam asked, "So how long until the Superb returns to port?"
"New pilot, huh kid?" said the captain. "HMS Superb is slated to return to port in 3 months. But you returning pilots will make it home by a different method."
The captain wasn't kidding about a different method. The little outboard boat made a steady rumble as the boat pilot sent with them to operate the thing poured on the power.
The vessel smelled differently than the coal powered battleship. The "gasoline" which it used had a weird odor which was almost pleasant.
It was raining and the fog had rolled in as they approached land.
It was tiresome to have to once again transition. From lifter to big ship to little boat now to hansom and southeast towards London.
It was a dreary long day and night before he made it to the Crown Plaza Hotel in London.
His fellow lifter resident had diverted to his home in Dover.
Adam had two whole days before the party with rich investors, so he thought for once, sleeping in would be possible.
The bellman rapped on his door three times before he stumbled to open it.
"I was asked to remind you that you have a 10 o'clock appointment with the Haberdasher. 107 West Eaton."
"What time is it now?"
"9 o'clock," said the man.
Time seemed to blend and shift for Adam. The constant rush of train became the rush to get dressed, to get to the Haberdasher in time.
When asked how he was supposed to pay for these fancy and very expensive clothes, the Haberdasher simply said, "The amount owed to us will be assessed against Adam Ryan, Investment Limited. To say it baldly, your eventual investors will pay for the suit, and if I might say so, the nicer the suit, the more investment you will receive."
He had never worn a white suit, such as this one, with pleated shirt, coat and slacks all in purest white, and only the black shoes and bow tie in contrast. The cuff-links were gold, and the watch was purchased to go with the outfit from the finest watch maker in London.
"You are a big deal now. Best to look it. The linchpin of an operation involving tens of millions of pounds, so it is to be hoped. Consider Fulwright and Sons to be on consignment for your next event, sir."
He had never seen more than a thousand pounds, and that was extravagant, when father had saved up to establish his new business.
Numat came down from Oxford, and was at the home of a wealthy program sponsor in London.
By the time Adam returned to the hotel, he had a message from Numat. "Be outside, 4:30 this afternoon. Our friendly host would like to give you a few pointers before you enter the financial world."
He figured he would leave his new suit to the actual party with all of the investors, so he cleaned up nice, bathing, grooming and getting himself ready. He knew he was missing out on a lot of the fancies of London, but nonetheless he did his best with the old suit to look good.
The carriage that showed up outside the hotel had a well-heeled servant. Even the servant's uniform had brass buttons. The driver nodded to him, but otherwise kept to himself as the carriage wove through the streets. How many wealthy men could afford to invest in a new man on a 10 million pounds investment.
The black iron gates of the manor opened smoothly, not creaking at all. Adam marveled at the lawn which was vast and all cut down to only an inch high carpet of grass.
The house had an odd look to it, with an outer archway, and large wooden posts painted white.
Adam waited outside while the servant went inside. After a long wait, the servant returned and beckoned him in.
Numat and his host were in the sitting room.
He noticed the spiral designs on the rocking chairs, and the quality wood of their construction. Adam knew a little of homemade craftsmanship, because Wesiinh knew a lot and had told him about it. These would be impressive even to her.
"Thank you for inviting me here," he said. "And it's good to see you again Mr. Numat."
"Will Sargent. I agreed with Numat that it would be best to review your situation privately before you are exposed to all of the talk of the investors. I'm happy to get to know new pilots, even though I don't have any capital for new ventures as of now."
Numat said, "Will is very good at giving the honest truth, which all the serious investors will know, but flattery will make you think they don't."
"Before we get into all that, there's some preparations you'll want to make before Saturday," said Will. "Get a solicitor, preferably someone at Wilford, or one of the other Financial advisory firms."
"Wilford," Numat said. "They have handled the last 3 pilots to get funded. You have to negotiate well, and you won't know how to do it without a good solicitor."
"2nd, get a copy of the Registered Investors Factbook. You can get it from the London branch of SIT. Mark up the factbook with pencil. Based on investment profile, who are your go to investors, aim to write down 30 to 40 investors with significant funding availability."
"3rd, and this is very important, get to the 12th street pub. Ask for the backroom, and speak to as many investors as you can. You're primary purpose here is to find your managing partner. Your investors may prefer a managing partner, but try to find a MP that you can work with, and who will fight for you. You will have to rely on the MP while you are off conducting the business enterprise which they are funding in the first place. Avoiding distractions and interference is critical."
During dinner, Numat raised the question: "What do you think Adam Ryan Enterprises advantages and disadvantages are from an investment perspective?"
Will spoke at length: "If you are an investor looking to invest in a pilot with many years of experience as an airship pilot, ferryman or railroad conductor, hoping to reduce risk by relying on someone with a stock of transferable knowledge, Adam Ryan is not the investment to choose.
"No prior experience is one mark against the enterprise. Another is lack of familiarity with the Ethereal people and their Worlds. Adam Ryan has never been off Earth until just a few weeks ago, and only met an Ethereal within a similar time frame.
"Adam does not have good heuristics for flight positioning and approach. His touch is lacking with the navigational controls. He is not the technical wizard you may be looking for.
"In the immediate term, Adam would be one of the worst choices for pilot, however, Adam's incredible learning curve shows his ability to adapt and recover in difficult situations is remarkable. Adam has failed and immediately found a way to succeed. For routine passenger traffic, Adam will not be your best man, but for dangerous and unpredictable situations, his very lack of experience helps him adapt to unusual circumstances.
"Adam is consistent, even when his ability to handle the assignment is lacking. He will continue to put in a full effort pursuit to adapt and learn how to complete the job.
"I expect that Adam will be wait-listed. There will be enough desire to continue funding Adam's training until such time he can be re-evaluted."
*
The Prince Room at the Crown Plaza Hotel was large enough to hold a big cocktail party. With white crystal chandeliers and brass candle holders, it was a shiny penny. Adam saw it as exceedingly fancy.
Will Sargent had recommended he hired 3 servers, so he did. The advertisement went out to all the registered investors of London, Oxford and elsewhere.
A violin quartet set up in the corner, and began to play favorite pieces of the investors.
There were all the elements of a great Investment party, but no Investors showed up. It was 7:30, half an hour after hors'duevres were supposed to be delivered from the Crown Plaza's kitchen. Two and a half hours since cocktail hour began.
Adam was dressed up in this suit, but he was ready to take the suit, the hors'duevres, everything, and leave it behind. Making a good first impression was one thing, but pretending to be some well-heeled, sophisticated man was not him.
He took off his sport coat and laid it over the back of one of the chairs in the middle of the hall. He had kept one table in the Prince Room, so he could talk with potential investors in detail.
Was it possible for him to just go back up to the Space Center and study, practice and fly from there. He would practice every facet of his piloting 12 hours a day if he didn't have worry about this investment stuff.
He was helping the servants to put away cocktail glasses (because why not, and there were so many clean glasses to carry back). When he came back into the Prince room with them, he saw two men had entered.
"We're potentially investors. We just heard your investment party is tonight. Is that right?" said one of them.
They were both tall, both wore tattered suits, and they held to his word with rapt attention.
"I was closing up," Adam said. "Unfortunately, no one came."
"We are brothers. Steve and Joseph King. I said to Joseph, what are the chances that a Lakes man is setting up a Ship Investment Trust. We had to come hear your story."
"Please, go ahead, sit down and I'll share it. It's all a little bitter at the moment. Most Trusts need at least 10 investors to cover the capital requirements," Adam said.
They sat down and took from the servers vermouth and bitters. Adam kept his glass of sparkling water, which looked like a fancy alcoholic drink, and kept him from having to answer questions about why he wasn't drinking.
He told Steve and Joseph his story, from the day late deadline at Oxford to the descent from the Space Center. He didn't care to retell the boring stuff about getting a tailored suit.
"So when you were up there, on the far side of the moon, you had to compute your way home by locating Earth and Moon. That's much like a sailing ship, only in three dimensions now. But I'm curious, what kind of speed can you put out?"
Adam told them, from his expanding storehouse of pilot knowledge, "high speeds are dangerous for the ship, any dust or random tiny things in space can damage the ship if it's going too fast. My acceleration was somewhere between 10 and 20 feet per second per second, with the another pilot on board."
Joseph said, "Can you explain that? I'm sure, we aren't registered investors yet, so we haven't read through all of the technical stuff."
"The Spirit drive. It's how all current spaceships operate. It's like a perfect thrust powered by the souls of the pilot and passengers. To the Ethereals, it is actually a very exacting science, as if your own personality could be quantified and turned into power. It's almost exactly like that. It's a truly magical power supply. Better than coal or horse power. It requires no fuel, nor any exhalant."
"What affects how much force this spiritual force produces?" Steve asked.
"Souls can be diminished, which reduces force, but also, if there are two many similar 'personalities' onboard that can affect the drive's acceleration. Human pilots use some equipment which measures the effects for us, but I have heard that the Ethereals can determine it directly with their spirit sight.
My trainer pilot had a different spirit than I did, but both of our were undiminished, and we had more acceleration than the flight plan called for. With several passengers onboard, its unlikely to hit 20 feet / second / second like we did."
"What do you want to do, if you did get the Ship you are hoping for? What kind of passengers, where would your destinations be?" asked Joseph.
"Anywhere!" Adam said. "I want to see every planet, every sunrise. Work with every passenger and learn from them. See the sights, and fly the leg of a journey that no one else wants to fly. I just want to fly." Adam said.
"You could come with us, to the Registration Meeting. Help us get registered, and we'll do whatever we can to get your ship aloft," Steve said.
"How do you plan to keep your passengers happy? What's your sales pitch to a passenger?" He asked.
"As long as the flight's in progress, I won't give up, and I will fly till I can't fly anymore. And if you can't find any other pilot to fly somewhere, get me, I'll fly you there."
"We like it! We just need to get registered and then we, well we may just invest," he answered.
He had it down to a routine: find his way down to Space Control, get authorization for a specific launch time. Wait for an emergency runner to tell him to abort (telegraphs would be in space, someday, they said). If there was no emergency runner, he then left the docking bay, releasing the clasps manually.
This was a difficult job requiring a lot of force, but Johnson made it look easy. The clasps snapped shut in response to a what would be a slight force for a ship, but for a human's strength, they weren't opened back up easily.
With the clasps opened, hopefully quickly, slide away from the docking slip on reverse force. Execute a turn based on the docking bay's exit angle. Each bay had a right ascension, declination set of angles to leave on.
Once you get out of the way of the Space Center's business, then you adjust course to head in the direction of the Center's orbit of the Earth. By providing reverse power, you descend to a lower altitude, reaching a higher final speed, slipping ahead and away from the Space Center. Finally you provide forward force until you are ascending to an altitude higher and slower than the Center.
Then you slip back into a close approach at the Space Center's altitude and prepare final approach, using force and reverse force and being observant to find a docking bay that is unoccupied and will continue to be unoccupied. Finally you direct and maneuver the ship to close in on the docking bay, correct your relative orientation to match the bay's orientation, approach the bay and provide full reverse force moments before docking to prevent damaging the ship or bay.
You could do this 20 times in a day. More than that really, but the training team didn't see the benefit in providing even more, plus it provided complications and dangers for the pilots and control team that were operating non-training flights.
Flip had rode along with the first days 20, even correcting his approach on half of them that first day. The 2nd day was a gut check, completely solo flight, even if it was within Earth orbit, near the Center.
The 3rd day got easier, and the 4th and 5th day were settling in, acting like a veteran loop pilot.
"This is what happens when the lifter needs to return to Earth to lift another crew up," said Coordinator Jenkins.
The lifter bays were different, and had a high powered release system. Adam felt the thud in his chest as he and another descending pilot were catapulted away from the Center against it's orbital path.
"First descent?" asked the pilot.
"Yep," Adam said.
"You probably know already, but the lifter's only traveling a little slower than the center. We will be orbiting, gradually catching actual air, slowing down, orbiting again. About 3 hours before we land."
"How do they know where we'll land?"
"The royal navy has a presence around the world, and our launch window was timed to try to splashdown in the North Atlantic."
They couldn't see where they were at, inside the silver tube that was a lifter. They could feel the resistance slowing them down when they reached the lowest point of each orbit, but Adam wasn't exactly sure how many more orbits remained.
He was sure they had one more orbit in them when the roaring sound died down again. He had thought they'd ascended above the atmosphere again, but instead the sudden splash indicated they had landed somewhere in water, presumably an ocean.
The only sound after they submerged, rebounded and submerged again before recovering into a floating bobbing thing on the sea was the gentle sound of rain.
Adam drifted off to sleep, thinking about Lake Michigan, as the sound of the ocean filled his dream.
A loud clang woke him up sometime later. He could here a winch pulling the lifter canister up.
Finally after even more waiting the sealed hatch swung open.
"HMS Superb welcomes you. You almost landed on top of us. Only 20 miles off course."
Adam asked, "So how long until the Superb returns to port?"
"New pilot, huh kid?" said the captain. "HMS Superb is slated to return to port in 3 months. But you returning pilots will make it home by a different method."
The captain wasn't kidding about a different method. The little outboard boat made a steady rumble as the boat pilot sent with them to operate the thing poured on the power.
The vessel smelled differently than the coal powered battleship. The "gasoline" which it used had a weird odor which was almost pleasant.
It was raining and the fog had rolled in as they approached land.
It was tiresome to have to once again transition. From lifter to big ship to little boat now to hansom and southeast towards London.
It was a dreary long day and night before he made it to the Crown Plaza Hotel in London.
His fellow lifter resident had diverted to his home in Dover.
Adam had two whole days before the party with rich investors, so he thought for once, sleeping in would be possible.
The bellman rapped on his door three times before he stumbled to open it.
"I was asked to remind you that you have a 10 o'clock appointment with the Haberdasher. 107 West Eaton."
"What time is it now?"
"9 o'clock," said the man.
Time seemed to blend and shift for Adam. The constant rush of train became the rush to get dressed, to get to the Haberdasher in time.
When asked how he was supposed to pay for these fancy and very expensive clothes, the Haberdasher simply said, "The amount owed to us will be assessed against Adam Ryan, Investment Limited. To say it baldly, your eventual investors will pay for the suit, and if I might say so, the nicer the suit, the more investment you will receive."
He had never worn a white suit, such as this one, with pleated shirt, coat and slacks all in purest white, and only the black shoes and bow tie in contrast. The cuff-links were gold, and the watch was purchased to go with the outfit from the finest watch maker in London.
"You are a big deal now. Best to look it. The linchpin of an operation involving tens of millions of pounds, so it is to be hoped. Consider Fulwright and Sons to be on consignment for your next event, sir."
He had never seen more than a thousand pounds, and that was extravagant, when father had saved up to establish his new business.
Numat came down from Oxford, and was at the home of a wealthy program sponsor in London.
By the time Adam returned to the hotel, he had a message from Numat. "Be outside, 4:30 this afternoon. Our friendly host would like to give you a few pointers before you enter the financial world."
He figured he would leave his new suit to the actual party with all of the investors, so he cleaned up nice, bathing, grooming and getting himself ready. He knew he was missing out on a lot of the fancies of London, but nonetheless he did his best with the old suit to look good.
The carriage that showed up outside the hotel had a well-heeled servant. Even the servant's uniform had brass buttons. The driver nodded to him, but otherwise kept to himself as the carriage wove through the streets. How many wealthy men could afford to invest in a new man on a 10 million pounds investment.
The black iron gates of the manor opened smoothly, not creaking at all. Adam marveled at the lawn which was vast and all cut down to only an inch high carpet of grass.
The house had an odd look to it, with an outer archway, and large wooden posts painted white.
Adam waited outside while the servant went inside. After a long wait, the servant returned and beckoned him in.
Numat and his host were in the sitting room.
He noticed the spiral designs on the rocking chairs, and the quality wood of their construction. Adam knew a little of homemade craftsmanship, because Wesiinh knew a lot and had told him about it. These would be impressive even to her.
"Thank you for inviting me here," he said. "And it's good to see you again Mr. Numat."
"Will Sargent. I agreed with Numat that it would be best to review your situation privately before you are exposed to all of the talk of the investors. I'm happy to get to know new pilots, even though I don't have any capital for new ventures as of now."
Numat said, "Will is very good at giving the honest truth, which all the serious investors will know, but flattery will make you think they don't."
"Before we get into all that, there's some preparations you'll want to make before Saturday," said Will. "Get a solicitor, preferably someone at Wilford, or one of the other Financial advisory firms."
"Wilford," Numat said. "They have handled the last 3 pilots to get funded. You have to negotiate well, and you won't know how to do it without a good solicitor."
"2nd, get a copy of the Registered Investors Factbook. You can get it from the London branch of SIT. Mark up the factbook with pencil. Based on investment profile, who are your go to investors, aim to write down 30 to 40 investors with significant funding availability."
"3rd, and this is very important, get to the 12th street pub. Ask for the backroom, and speak to as many investors as you can. You're primary purpose here is to find your managing partner. Your investors may prefer a managing partner, but try to find a MP that you can work with, and who will fight for you. You will have to rely on the MP while you are off conducting the business enterprise which they are funding in the first place. Avoiding distractions and interference is critical."
During dinner, Numat raised the question: "What do you think Adam Ryan Enterprises advantages and disadvantages are from an investment perspective?"
Will spoke at length: "If you are an investor looking to invest in a pilot with many years of experience as an airship pilot, ferryman or railroad conductor, hoping to reduce risk by relying on someone with a stock of transferable knowledge, Adam Ryan is not the investment to choose.
"No prior experience is one mark against the enterprise. Another is lack of familiarity with the Ethereal people and their Worlds. Adam Ryan has never been off Earth until just a few weeks ago, and only met an Ethereal within a similar time frame.
"Adam does not have good heuristics for flight positioning and approach. His touch is lacking with the navigational controls. He is not the technical wizard you may be looking for.
"In the immediate term, Adam would be one of the worst choices for pilot, however, Adam's incredible learning curve shows his ability to adapt and recover in difficult situations is remarkable. Adam has failed and immediately found a way to succeed. For routine passenger traffic, Adam will not be your best man, but for dangerous and unpredictable situations, his very lack of experience helps him adapt to unusual circumstances.
"Adam is consistent, even when his ability to handle the assignment is lacking. He will continue to put in a full effort pursuit to adapt and learn how to complete the job.
"I expect that Adam will be wait-listed. There will be enough desire to continue funding Adam's training until such time he can be re-evaluted."
*
The Prince Room at the Crown Plaza Hotel was large enough to hold a big cocktail party. With white crystal chandeliers and brass candle holders, it was a shiny penny. Adam saw it as exceedingly fancy.
Will Sargent had recommended he hired 3 servers, so he did. The advertisement went out to all the registered investors of London, Oxford and elsewhere.
A violin quartet set up in the corner, and began to play favorite pieces of the investors.
There were all the elements of a great Investment party, but no Investors showed up. It was 7:30, half an hour after hors'duevres were supposed to be delivered from the Crown Plaza's kitchen. Two and a half hours since cocktail hour began.
Adam was dressed up in this suit, but he was ready to take the suit, the hors'duevres, everything, and leave it behind. Making a good first impression was one thing, but pretending to be some well-heeled, sophisticated man was not him.
He took off his sport coat and laid it over the back of one of the chairs in the middle of the hall. He had kept one table in the Prince Room, so he could talk with potential investors in detail.
Was it possible for him to just go back up to the Space Center and study, practice and fly from there. He would practice every facet of his piloting 12 hours a day if he didn't have worry about this investment stuff.
He was helping the servants to put away cocktail glasses (because why not, and there were so many clean glasses to carry back). When he came back into the Prince room with them, he saw two men had entered.
"We're potentially investors. We just heard your investment party is tonight. Is that right?" said one of them.
They were both tall, both wore tattered suits, and they held to his word with rapt attention.
"I was closing up," Adam said. "Unfortunately, no one came."
"We are brothers. Steve and Joseph King. I said to Joseph, what are the chances that a Lakes man is setting up a Ship Investment Trust. We had to come hear your story."
"Please, go ahead, sit down and I'll share it. It's all a little bitter at the moment. Most Trusts need at least 10 investors to cover the capital requirements," Adam said.
They sat down and took from the servers vermouth and bitters. Adam kept his glass of sparkling water, which looked like a fancy alcoholic drink, and kept him from having to answer questions about why he wasn't drinking.
He told Steve and Joseph his story, from the day late deadline at Oxford to the descent from the Space Center. He didn't care to retell the boring stuff about getting a tailored suit.
"So when you were up there, on the far side of the moon, you had to compute your way home by locating Earth and Moon. That's much like a sailing ship, only in three dimensions now. But I'm curious, what kind of speed can you put out?"
Adam told them, from his expanding storehouse of pilot knowledge, "high speeds are dangerous for the ship, any dust or random tiny things in space can damage the ship if it's going too fast. My acceleration was somewhere between 10 and 20 feet per second per second, with the another pilot on board."
Joseph said, "Can you explain that? I'm sure, we aren't registered investors yet, so we haven't read through all of the technical stuff."
"The Spirit drive. It's how all current spaceships operate. It's like a perfect thrust powered by the souls of the pilot and passengers. To the Ethereals, it is actually a very exacting science, as if your own personality could be quantified and turned into power. It's almost exactly like that. It's a truly magical power supply. Better than coal or horse power. It requires no fuel, nor any exhalant."
"What affects how much force this spiritual force produces?" Steve asked.
"Souls can be diminished, which reduces force, but also, if there are two many similar 'personalities' onboard that can affect the drive's acceleration. Human pilots use some equipment which measures the effects for us, but I have heard that the Ethereals can determine it directly with their spirit sight.
My trainer pilot had a different spirit than I did, but both of our were undiminished, and we had more acceleration than the flight plan called for. With several passengers onboard, its unlikely to hit 20 feet / second / second like we did."
"What do you want to do, if you did get the Ship you are hoping for? What kind of passengers, where would your destinations be?" asked Joseph.
"Anywhere!" Adam said. "I want to see every planet, every sunrise. Work with every passenger and learn from them. See the sights, and fly the leg of a journey that no one else wants to fly. I just want to fly." Adam said.
"You could come with us, to the Registration Meeting. Help us get registered, and we'll do whatever we can to get your ship aloft," Steve said.
"How do you plan to keep your passengers happy? What's your sales pitch to a passenger?" He asked.
"As long as the flight's in progress, I won't give up, and I will fly till I can't fly anymore. And if you can't find any other pilot to fly somewhere, get me, I'll fly you there."
"We like it! We just need to get registered and then we, well we may just invest," he answered.
Soar 7
- Location
- Michigan
Notice of Establishment of a Ship Investment Trust and associated Business operations.
Managing Partner: C. Bradley
Active Partner: A. Ryan
Reserve Partners: S. King, J. King
Solicitor: James Fulwright, Fulwright and Sons.
Subject to the Contribution Schedule herein, the Active Partner will hold 4,000 shares of common stock in the Petoskey Trading Investment Trust. The Active Partner must make financial contributions to the Trust according to said schedule in order to maintain control of said shares common stock. Late payment in excess of 30 days will lead to dissolution of Active Partner's shares.
Holdings:
S. King - 483,000 shares
J. King - 483,000 shares
C. Bradley - 30,000 shares
A. Ryan - 4,000 shares
=====================
1,000,000 shares
Salaries:
A. Ryan - 3% Gross Profit
C. Bradley - 75,000 GBP
Operational assets of the Trust will be considered to be denominated in AXUs, or Aether Exchange Units. AXUs are used for payment and bonding in inter-planetary transit.
Assets:
Cash 1,400 AXU
Leta (Osprey class) 7,000 AXU
Liabilities:
None
Shareholder's Equity 8,400 AXU
Adam had spent days helping the King brothers get registered and overcoming the reluctance of the SIT board to approve their large investment of 5.7 million pounds each. The SIT board encouraged each investor to make a series of smaller investments jointly with other investors. But the King brothers were his advocates and they wanted Adam to be established.
Chris Bradley was the Managing Partner they had found after a two week search. Him and his wife put together a 360,000 pound investment, and he will receive a 75,000 pound a year salary for managing the financial, Earth bound side of things.
They scrambled for passengers for his first flight. Any Pilot's first flight, and especially someone without prior passenger transit experience, was bonded at a horrendously high rate.
The passenger list for his first trip consisted of Chris and his wife Clair themselves, Numat, who said he wanted to get back to his home planet Olympus, and one genuine 100% passenger Don Henderson. It didn't matter too much that Henderson knew the King brothers.
The AXU bonding agency considered it a valid flight with at least one passenger unconnected to the industry. He would eat his losses on this flight and the next few until his bond rate dropped.
The Ethereals had established a minimum bond coverage for passengers of 700 AXU, equivalent to a million pounds. His first bond rate came out to 25 AXU against the exposure of 2800 AXU for 4 passengers.
He charged 7 AXU per passenger, but he still had to cover maintenance and fees as well. Part of the Earth fees were for the use by his passengers of lifters to get up to the space center.
Finally, his passengers were safely ensconced with their luggage in the lower passenger bay, and he was ready for his first flight, destination: Olympus.
Getting clearance from the Center to leave was barely different than when he was flying the training loop.
He had already computed the flight plan based on daily charts of transits to different planets.
After working through the pre-launch checklist and verifying all ship components were working optimally, he activated the spirit drive and applied reverse force.
The ship backed slowly out of the docking bay. It somehow felt more real when it was his own ship, the Leta. The name was Numat's suggestion when he saw the shiny silver ship with it's dome, and wide lower passenger compartment which made it look like a bit like a skirt from outside.
He didn't know what Leta meant, but he went with it. With an Ethereal onboard, Adam would be able to send long distance messages from the depths of space, which was nice for the Leta's maiden voyage. Numat had sent a message to a friend back home in Olympus, asking him to check for messages coming from deep space.
The first burn would push the Leta in a much higher Earth orbit, (he didn't know why it was called that, the Ethereals called them corrections).
With a firm grasp on the wheel, he pushed up on it, and twisted left, causing the Leta to side slip away from the Space Center but end up traveling parallel with it.
His rate of acceleration was about a third slower than with Flip, but still pretty good for four passengers, according to the books.
The dull glow of the Aether bulbs, which didn't require any power but spirit, filled the pilot's area.
What was day or night to a ship? The sun was on the far side of the Earth, but its light curved around the spheric giving a twilight feeling. Down away from the dome, he could see the aura of light spreading from the dome down the tunnel.
The dial was set and counted down the seconds of his "correction". 6 minutes 30 seconds.
Adam was getting further and further away from where he had ever been. He barely counted the moon trip.
The tiny view slits from the pilot's chair only showed what was immediately ahead, which was blackness. The flight documents showed that Olympus wouldn't come into view until after Leta had come around the sun and made closest approach with Miarahaba.
He would then perform a descending burn to swing around Miarahaba and reach Olympus which was farther from the sun.
6 minute burn complete. Now he had 2 hours to "burn" until he performed the Earth exit correction.
Deactivating the spirit drive, he unbuckled and unstrapped from the pilot's chair and slowly manuevered past the closet and through the sloped tunnel which led to the passenger compartment.
The lights were dimmed as far as they would go. It was dark and silent, Adam turned back to the tunnel, to return to the pilot's chair.
"Adam," whispered Numat. "Everyone's sleeping, but I was just sitting here in the dark."
He went up the tunnel, and Adam followed after, until they reached the dome.
"My eyes may have seen only darkness, but in the spirit, on the other hand, there were my fellow passengers, lighting up the room. And then there's you. Every fluctuation in your spirit was as visible if I had been standing right next to you. And then I could see all of the presences back at the Space Center, and the residual spiritual sights in the sky. No bulkhead or wall can stop that kind of sight."
"Why would my spirit be so noticeable?" Adam asked. "It's not like I've got a lifetime of practice in developing some kind of spirit muscle.
"It's not like that. You can't change or brighten your spirit. And if it grows dull it is a tragedy. There's little understanding, but I do know that some have brighter spirits than others, and often they go on to have powerful impacts in the world around them. You don't think I stumbled upon you by accident, do you? It was the intensity of your light."
Adam asked, "Have you been to all the habitable planets?"
"I was born on Olympus. Traveled to Earth with an expedition when I was 25. Been to Miarahaba for a few days, but it's not my favorite place. Cinarae is off-limits to us by decree of their Queen, and furthest away from the sun. I've never been there."
Adam was surprised. "It's hard to picture your people as unfriendly. I grew up on stories of how Ethereals came and set right what was wrong with a smile and a firm yet friendly approach."
"Towards humans, most Ethereals would be friendly. Over the centuries, we've found that we have different philosophies. I have been a Neutralist since I could understand the position as well as can be. We believe in limiting our interference with others, whether human or Ethereal. We will stand up for fairness, law and opportunity, but we believe within each person is the spirit heart which they must express through their own efforts. Helping a person too much can cause dependency and damage their own ability to pursue what they are called to.
"It was neutralists who established the Aether Exchange and standards for bonding for passenger and cargo transport. We have visited Earth to help establish well founded financial and legal systems, and England has been a Model City for us, for a long time."
"I never thought of that sort of mission, it's not easy to publicize or understand. We never heard about economic or legal missions, we heard about the rescue of persons in horrible situations, and a well placed rebuke for those who abuse or take advantage of others," Adam said.
"There was a solid core of neutralists on Olympus, and over time, our fellow neutralists decided to gather on the planet so that we might have enough votes to have an influence. Across all three planets, we only have 19% of the vote, but on Olympus, 53%. When you think of those who rescue babies and firmly get involved in retribution, you're talking about the 'Benevolent' faction.
"The 'Benevolents' are in an uneasy situation with the self-labeled 'Condemned' on Cinarae. The 'Condemned' see themselves as being ostracized by other Ethereals for the nature of their spirit. They claim that they are judged by the first appearance of their soul, without a fair evaluation or trial. The term Condemned is a badge of honor for them.
There are conflicts between the 'Benevolents' and 'Condemned' on a regular basis. The 'Condemned' have violated the code of self-determination by declaring a Queen of their faction, who has a lot of influence on Cinarae despite not being an elected official.
"Miarahaba is pretty much a 'Benevolent' haven, and it's from that planet which they consider their mercy missions and have local councils. They do operate an extensive set of telescopes, which I have to credit them for."
Adam made sure to fly down the tunnel from the dome and check on the timer until the next burn. Still had an hour and 50 minutes.
"I know a little of my local government, it wasn't really my interest though. Wesiinh was more into that."
He told Numat about his original plan when he visited Oxford the first time. Numat returned to bed minutes before Adam went back to the pilot's chair and strapped in for the Earth ejection burn.
He watched as the timer counted down, and then activated the spirit drive.
He had learned during his book study that a burn from Earth orbit of greater duration than 6 to 8 hours (depending on your force), would put your ship in danger from the aether resistance and micro collisions.
This part of the plan involved a 4 hour burn, as a result. He could have made the main approach burn partially happen here, but it would be too much velocity.
As his orbital path swung around Earth, the burn would establish the force to get further from the sun as well as further from Earth.
He set the timer, and leaned back in the pilot's chair.
A couple hours later, he rubbed his head. There was no accepted theory on whether the spirit drive had any physical effect on people, just anecdotes, but he felt extra tired and a headache was coming on.
He had locked the wheel in place, so he wouldn't accidentally bump it while executing the longest burn he'd ever done.
Opposite of the utility closet he'd been into several times during training, was the closet micro kitchen and pantry, which he hadn't accessed much during training. Every cabinet latched so their contents wouldn't fly around during acceleration.
He could really use some water and a quick snack right about then.
*
They were floating in the dome a few hours after Adam had performed the Earth exit burn.
Adam looked around at Numat and Don Henderson, they were looking out into space. The dome was facing away from the Sun. Nothing else emitted much light from this distance. Earth was a little pea at this distance. Miarahaba would have been drowned out by the brightness of the sun. Olympus was on the other side of the sun.
"It's hard to find a quieter, more desolate place than a ship floating through the depths of space," Don said.
"The mist of Miarahaba is a close second," said Numat. "But this is more beautiful."
"Three days until closest approach to Miarahaba, and then another week to Olympus," Adam said.
Adam was puzzled, as he felt himself start to head towards the inner surface of the dome.
"What was that?" Don said as they all had gently, subtly drifted towards the edge of the dome.
Numat looked at them. "Have I described to you what spirit sight is like when you use the spirit drive?" He asked, seemed to give a non-sequitor.
"No?" he answered.
"There's a line of spirit flowing out from us, down and into the conduit. Did you discharge your relief valve?" Numat said.
"I think I remember that from the books, but Flip Johnson never covered it. What should I be doing?" Adam said, nervously.
"Think about static electricity. The longer you let it built up before you release it, the more energy. Come on Don, we have to strap back in, this is going to be a big hit. It's been 10+ hours of burn time since the discharge procedure was executed."
"Procedure. Oh I'll look it up in the manual in the utility closet."
They bumbled their way down the tunnel, with the other two headed further into the passenger bed nets to strap in. It was odd that beds were the only way to strap in, but it was efficient if you planned your passenger rest times to coincide with burns.
Procedure 7a: Aether Power Delivery Platform Discharge Procedure.
Last Updated: March 7, 1911 / 2380-03-32
He rushed to the pilot's chair as soon as he saw it. Strapping in he looked to the second steel rod next to the chair recliner adjuster. He had pulled on it in the training ship before realizing what the adjuster was.
This time he had to put all his weight into the lever and when it released his head swung forward, biffing into the metal steering handle.
The discharge had fiercely forced the Leta off course in a reverse direction, but the ship wasn't in line with her velocity, so the result was that her course was slowed and askew.
"There was definitely some damage when you discharged!" said Numat. "Did you read the whole procedure?"
"Uh, just a minute!" he shouted back.
DO NOT DISCHARGE IF THE DISCHARGE LEVER IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. REBOUND FORCE MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO CONDUIT.
Adam flew down into the passenger compartment, where Numat had already opened one of the 7 access panels along the conduit's route underneath them.
"As I thought, there's been a break in the conduit here. I heard it just to the right of us."
The access panel was just a few feet away from the bed nets. Looking down into the conduit, he saw a gaping hole in the conduit.
"If you try to execute another burn, your power will be weak and off angle," Numat said.
"What's our trajectory now?" he asked, then felt flushed.
"You go check on that, and I'll work on the backup system. The sail system was designed in the event a ship was stranded in deep space and needed help to get back to planetary orbit. Between the gradual release of unintentional power by the overloaded conduit, and then the sudden jerk when the discharge procedure happened, I suspect our path now runs short. As it, right smack into Miarahaba. And that means the end for the Leta before her shakedown cruise even really started.
"We'll need to modify procedure."
It was a careful, yet tense procedure to determine their position. Since the sun and Miarahaba were on the other side of the dome, and it wasn't safe to try the spirit drive. Actually, after looking at it for a bit, he realized the Leta was rotating very slowly after the discharge.
That meant they could see the Sun and Miarahaba eventually. But also that his ship relative coordinates were changing.
He wrote down three sets of angles for Earth, five minutes apart, with apparent size solid angle as well. With this he wrote down the count from the pilot's wristwatch he had bought before leaving london.
Then he waited for the Sun and Miarahaba to rotate into view. It was difficult to spot Miarahaba into the glare of the sun, but he put his hand over his eyes and squinted until he saw it.
He wrote down the planet's position and size three times as well. Back to the pilot's table to calculate it all out.
He didn't have an absolute reference system for the angles, because the ship was rotating, but he could reconstruct it with his six timed measurements. He racked his brain, working through the algebra and trig of the problem, and identified an imaginary reference frame to adjust all the angles relative to. Then it was simply a linear function of time and apparent angle to get the angle relative to this frame.
He manipulated the orbit checker of the massive slide rule, spinning speed and angle and current distance. He would brush past Miarahaba, entering it's atmosphere. But if he considered the Aether resisting Leta movement slightly, it would likely be a crash landing.
Adam left his technical diagram on the pilot's table and went to the utility closet.
There was a map of current Aether stream trends. Knowing the velocity and direction of the Aether moving around them in space was critical for using the Sails.
Adam's ship was already filled with Aether all around them, and all the passengers were part of the 6% who respirate from Aether and spiritual power in space. So there was no reason not to open the main hatch when Numat asked him to.
The gigantic solar sail was still rolled up. Without gravity it was an awkward manuever for one person, but Numat rotated end over end while holding the roll of sail fabric and Adam held the other end.
He held onto the massive curtain of fabric while Numat went to the supports. It was almost like a tent frame, as they slid 8 long rods through the groves in the fabric and out the other side.
The places they snapped into were already welded on the ship. Trying to hold the rods to press them down into the snap in places was impossible, you would go careening of as the pressure you applied rebounded.
After learning that once, he had to flap his way back to the ship, brace himself by holding on to the ship hull with one hand, and pulling on the rod of the solar sail with another.
Adam worked on snapping in the sail, while Numat put together the linkage which connected the wheel at my chair to a large rudder.
Knowing the low resistance of aether, it would take a very long time to change direction through the rudder.
When he snapped in all of the parts of the sail, it rose up from the upper hull, blocking part of their view from the dome. Adam had only covered sail operation for 25 minutes on a real actual ship.
If they got this wrong, they could crash land into Miarabaha or float around into the depths of space for months.
Numat returned from fitting the rudder in place, and they slid back into the ship from the hatch, which connected to the passenger area.
When they were back inside, Adam latched the door.
Numat came with him up to the pilot's area.
"If you press in the Sail button, the wheel will be locked to only horizontal motion corresponding to the rudder. Obviously, don't activate the spirit drive."
Adam nodded.
"We're heading almost directly with the Aether, so there's not much force. If we turn just a little bit, we'll be applying force to reduce our orbit more, as the Aether will be redirected up and away from Miarahaba and the counterforce will push us down and towards the planet. We need to turn 150 degrees so the aether is directed towards Miarahaba, and the counterforce gives our orbit a bit higher trajectory."
Adam pressed the Sail button, and then turned the wheel right.
"It doesn't matter, because we can turn either direction to reverse course, but the rudder goes opposite of the way you expect," Numat said.
Adam thought about the situation, "Are we locked into the current plane of motion, because the rudder is only horizontal?"
Adam realized, they couldn't maneuver up or down, or twist the ship like a corkscrew.
"You can get out and push, but otherwise you're locked into the same celestial plane which the planets are, which is usually where we want to be anyway."
They watched through the tiny viewing slits, Adam couldn't tell how far he'd gone, but Numat finally yelled, "Stop."
He let go of the wheel. "How could you tell?"
"I could tell the force of the Aether wind resisting against the sail."
Adam noticed it's motion too.
"The sail won't produce enough force to knock us down, and there's nothing you can do except wait and calculate our orbit parameters every half hour."
Hopefully they could get to Miarahaba, and slip into orbit, and find someone to fix the ship.
Managing Partner: C. Bradley
Active Partner: A. Ryan
Reserve Partners: S. King, J. King
Solicitor: James Fulwright, Fulwright and Sons.
Subject to the Contribution Schedule herein, the Active Partner will hold 4,000 shares of common stock in the Petoskey Trading Investment Trust. The Active Partner must make financial contributions to the Trust according to said schedule in order to maintain control of said shares common stock. Late payment in excess of 30 days will lead to dissolution of Active Partner's shares.
Holdings:
S. King - 483,000 shares
J. King - 483,000 shares
C. Bradley - 30,000 shares
A. Ryan - 4,000 shares
=====================
1,000,000 shares
Salaries:
A. Ryan - 3% Gross Profit
C. Bradley - 75,000 GBP
Operational assets of the Trust will be considered to be denominated in AXUs, or Aether Exchange Units. AXUs are used for payment and bonding in inter-planetary transit.
Assets:
Cash 1,400 AXU
Leta (Osprey class) 7,000 AXU
Liabilities:
None
Shareholder's Equity 8,400 AXU
Adam had spent days helping the King brothers get registered and overcoming the reluctance of the SIT board to approve their large investment of 5.7 million pounds each. The SIT board encouraged each investor to make a series of smaller investments jointly with other investors. But the King brothers were his advocates and they wanted Adam to be established.
Chris Bradley was the Managing Partner they had found after a two week search. Him and his wife put together a 360,000 pound investment, and he will receive a 75,000 pound a year salary for managing the financial, Earth bound side of things.
They scrambled for passengers for his first flight. Any Pilot's first flight, and especially someone without prior passenger transit experience, was bonded at a horrendously high rate.
The passenger list for his first trip consisted of Chris and his wife Clair themselves, Numat, who said he wanted to get back to his home planet Olympus, and one genuine 100% passenger Don Henderson. It didn't matter too much that Henderson knew the King brothers.
The AXU bonding agency considered it a valid flight with at least one passenger unconnected to the industry. He would eat his losses on this flight and the next few until his bond rate dropped.
The Ethereals had established a minimum bond coverage for passengers of 700 AXU, equivalent to a million pounds. His first bond rate came out to 25 AXU against the exposure of 2800 AXU for 4 passengers.
He charged 7 AXU per passenger, but he still had to cover maintenance and fees as well. Part of the Earth fees were for the use by his passengers of lifters to get up to the space center.
Finally, his passengers were safely ensconced with their luggage in the lower passenger bay, and he was ready for his first flight, destination: Olympus.
Getting clearance from the Center to leave was barely different than when he was flying the training loop.
He had already computed the flight plan based on daily charts of transits to different planets.
After working through the pre-launch checklist and verifying all ship components were working optimally, he activated the spirit drive and applied reverse force.
The ship backed slowly out of the docking bay. It somehow felt more real when it was his own ship, the Leta. The name was Numat's suggestion when he saw the shiny silver ship with it's dome, and wide lower passenger compartment which made it look like a bit like a skirt from outside.
He didn't know what Leta meant, but he went with it. With an Ethereal onboard, Adam would be able to send long distance messages from the depths of space, which was nice for the Leta's maiden voyage. Numat had sent a message to a friend back home in Olympus, asking him to check for messages coming from deep space.
The first burn would push the Leta in a much higher Earth orbit, (he didn't know why it was called that, the Ethereals called them corrections).
With a firm grasp on the wheel, he pushed up on it, and twisted left, causing the Leta to side slip away from the Space Center but end up traveling parallel with it.
His rate of acceleration was about a third slower than with Flip, but still pretty good for four passengers, according to the books.
The dull glow of the Aether bulbs, which didn't require any power but spirit, filled the pilot's area.
What was day or night to a ship? The sun was on the far side of the Earth, but its light curved around the spheric giving a twilight feeling. Down away from the dome, he could see the aura of light spreading from the dome down the tunnel.
The dial was set and counted down the seconds of his "correction". 6 minutes 30 seconds.
Adam was getting further and further away from where he had ever been. He barely counted the moon trip.
The tiny view slits from the pilot's chair only showed what was immediately ahead, which was blackness. The flight documents showed that Olympus wouldn't come into view until after Leta had come around the sun and made closest approach with Miarahaba.
He would then perform a descending burn to swing around Miarahaba and reach Olympus which was farther from the sun.
6 minute burn complete. Now he had 2 hours to "burn" until he performed the Earth exit correction.
Deactivating the spirit drive, he unbuckled and unstrapped from the pilot's chair and slowly manuevered past the closet and through the sloped tunnel which led to the passenger compartment.
The lights were dimmed as far as they would go. It was dark and silent, Adam turned back to the tunnel, to return to the pilot's chair.
"Adam," whispered Numat. "Everyone's sleeping, but I was just sitting here in the dark."
He went up the tunnel, and Adam followed after, until they reached the dome.
"My eyes may have seen only darkness, but in the spirit, on the other hand, there were my fellow passengers, lighting up the room. And then there's you. Every fluctuation in your spirit was as visible if I had been standing right next to you. And then I could see all of the presences back at the Space Center, and the residual spiritual sights in the sky. No bulkhead or wall can stop that kind of sight."
"Why would my spirit be so noticeable?" Adam asked. "It's not like I've got a lifetime of practice in developing some kind of spirit muscle.
"It's not like that. You can't change or brighten your spirit. And if it grows dull it is a tragedy. There's little understanding, but I do know that some have brighter spirits than others, and often they go on to have powerful impacts in the world around them. You don't think I stumbled upon you by accident, do you? It was the intensity of your light."
Adam asked, "Have you been to all the habitable planets?"
"I was born on Olympus. Traveled to Earth with an expedition when I was 25. Been to Miarahaba for a few days, but it's not my favorite place. Cinarae is off-limits to us by decree of their Queen, and furthest away from the sun. I've never been there."
Adam was surprised. "It's hard to picture your people as unfriendly. I grew up on stories of how Ethereals came and set right what was wrong with a smile and a firm yet friendly approach."
"Towards humans, most Ethereals would be friendly. Over the centuries, we've found that we have different philosophies. I have been a Neutralist since I could understand the position as well as can be. We believe in limiting our interference with others, whether human or Ethereal. We will stand up for fairness, law and opportunity, but we believe within each person is the spirit heart which they must express through their own efforts. Helping a person too much can cause dependency and damage their own ability to pursue what they are called to.
"It was neutralists who established the Aether Exchange and standards for bonding for passenger and cargo transport. We have visited Earth to help establish well founded financial and legal systems, and England has been a Model City for us, for a long time."
"I never thought of that sort of mission, it's not easy to publicize or understand. We never heard about economic or legal missions, we heard about the rescue of persons in horrible situations, and a well placed rebuke for those who abuse or take advantage of others," Adam said.
"There was a solid core of neutralists on Olympus, and over time, our fellow neutralists decided to gather on the planet so that we might have enough votes to have an influence. Across all three planets, we only have 19% of the vote, but on Olympus, 53%. When you think of those who rescue babies and firmly get involved in retribution, you're talking about the 'Benevolent' faction.
"The 'Benevolents' are in an uneasy situation with the self-labeled 'Condemned' on Cinarae. The 'Condemned' see themselves as being ostracized by other Ethereals for the nature of their spirit. They claim that they are judged by the first appearance of their soul, without a fair evaluation or trial. The term Condemned is a badge of honor for them.
There are conflicts between the 'Benevolents' and 'Condemned' on a regular basis. The 'Condemned' have violated the code of self-determination by declaring a Queen of their faction, who has a lot of influence on Cinarae despite not being an elected official.
"Miarahaba is pretty much a 'Benevolent' haven, and it's from that planet which they consider their mercy missions and have local councils. They do operate an extensive set of telescopes, which I have to credit them for."
Adam made sure to fly down the tunnel from the dome and check on the timer until the next burn. Still had an hour and 50 minutes.
"I know a little of my local government, it wasn't really my interest though. Wesiinh was more into that."
He told Numat about his original plan when he visited Oxford the first time. Numat returned to bed minutes before Adam went back to the pilot's chair and strapped in for the Earth ejection burn.
He watched as the timer counted down, and then activated the spirit drive.
He had learned during his book study that a burn from Earth orbit of greater duration than 6 to 8 hours (depending on your force), would put your ship in danger from the aether resistance and micro collisions.
This part of the plan involved a 4 hour burn, as a result. He could have made the main approach burn partially happen here, but it would be too much velocity.
As his orbital path swung around Earth, the burn would establish the force to get further from the sun as well as further from Earth.
He set the timer, and leaned back in the pilot's chair.
A couple hours later, he rubbed his head. There was no accepted theory on whether the spirit drive had any physical effect on people, just anecdotes, but he felt extra tired and a headache was coming on.
He had locked the wheel in place, so he wouldn't accidentally bump it while executing the longest burn he'd ever done.
Opposite of the utility closet he'd been into several times during training, was the closet micro kitchen and pantry, which he hadn't accessed much during training. Every cabinet latched so their contents wouldn't fly around during acceleration.
He could really use some water and a quick snack right about then.
*
They were floating in the dome a few hours after Adam had performed the Earth exit burn.
Adam looked around at Numat and Don Henderson, they were looking out into space. The dome was facing away from the Sun. Nothing else emitted much light from this distance. Earth was a little pea at this distance. Miarahaba would have been drowned out by the brightness of the sun. Olympus was on the other side of the sun.
"It's hard to find a quieter, more desolate place than a ship floating through the depths of space," Don said.
"The mist of Miarahaba is a close second," said Numat. "But this is more beautiful."
"Three days until closest approach to Miarahaba, and then another week to Olympus," Adam said.
Adam was puzzled, as he felt himself start to head towards the inner surface of the dome.
"What was that?" Don said as they all had gently, subtly drifted towards the edge of the dome.
Numat looked at them. "Have I described to you what spirit sight is like when you use the spirit drive?" He asked, seemed to give a non-sequitor.
"No?" he answered.
"There's a line of spirit flowing out from us, down and into the conduit. Did you discharge your relief valve?" Numat said.
"I think I remember that from the books, but Flip Johnson never covered it. What should I be doing?" Adam said, nervously.
"Think about static electricity. The longer you let it built up before you release it, the more energy. Come on Don, we have to strap back in, this is going to be a big hit. It's been 10+ hours of burn time since the discharge procedure was executed."
"Procedure. Oh I'll look it up in the manual in the utility closet."
They bumbled their way down the tunnel, with the other two headed further into the passenger bed nets to strap in. It was odd that beds were the only way to strap in, but it was efficient if you planned your passenger rest times to coincide with burns.
Procedure 7a: Aether Power Delivery Platform Discharge Procedure.
Last Updated: March 7, 1911 / 2380-03-32
He rushed to the pilot's chair as soon as he saw it. Strapping in he looked to the second steel rod next to the chair recliner adjuster. He had pulled on it in the training ship before realizing what the adjuster was.
This time he had to put all his weight into the lever and when it released his head swung forward, biffing into the metal steering handle.
The discharge had fiercely forced the Leta off course in a reverse direction, but the ship wasn't in line with her velocity, so the result was that her course was slowed and askew.
"There was definitely some damage when you discharged!" said Numat. "Did you read the whole procedure?"
"Uh, just a minute!" he shouted back.
DO NOT DISCHARGE IF THE DISCHARGE LEVER IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. REBOUND FORCE MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO CONDUIT.
Adam flew down into the passenger compartment, where Numat had already opened one of the 7 access panels along the conduit's route underneath them.
"As I thought, there's been a break in the conduit here. I heard it just to the right of us."
The access panel was just a few feet away from the bed nets. Looking down into the conduit, he saw a gaping hole in the conduit.
"If you try to execute another burn, your power will be weak and off angle," Numat said.
"What's our trajectory now?" he asked, then felt flushed.
"You go check on that, and I'll work on the backup system. The sail system was designed in the event a ship was stranded in deep space and needed help to get back to planetary orbit. Between the gradual release of unintentional power by the overloaded conduit, and then the sudden jerk when the discharge procedure happened, I suspect our path now runs short. As it, right smack into Miarahaba. And that means the end for the Leta before her shakedown cruise even really started.
"We'll need to modify procedure."
It was a careful, yet tense procedure to determine their position. Since the sun and Miarahaba were on the other side of the dome, and it wasn't safe to try the spirit drive. Actually, after looking at it for a bit, he realized the Leta was rotating very slowly after the discharge.
That meant they could see the Sun and Miarahaba eventually. But also that his ship relative coordinates were changing.
He wrote down three sets of angles for Earth, five minutes apart, with apparent size solid angle as well. With this he wrote down the count from the pilot's wristwatch he had bought before leaving london.
Then he waited for the Sun and Miarahaba to rotate into view. It was difficult to spot Miarahaba into the glare of the sun, but he put his hand over his eyes and squinted until he saw it.
He wrote down the planet's position and size three times as well. Back to the pilot's table to calculate it all out.
He didn't have an absolute reference system for the angles, because the ship was rotating, but he could reconstruct it with his six timed measurements. He racked his brain, working through the algebra and trig of the problem, and identified an imaginary reference frame to adjust all the angles relative to. Then it was simply a linear function of time and apparent angle to get the angle relative to this frame.
He manipulated the orbit checker of the massive slide rule, spinning speed and angle and current distance. He would brush past Miarahaba, entering it's atmosphere. But if he considered the Aether resisting Leta movement slightly, it would likely be a crash landing.
Adam left his technical diagram on the pilot's table and went to the utility closet.
There was a map of current Aether stream trends. Knowing the velocity and direction of the Aether moving around them in space was critical for using the Sails.
Adam's ship was already filled with Aether all around them, and all the passengers were part of the 6% who respirate from Aether and spiritual power in space. So there was no reason not to open the main hatch when Numat asked him to.
The gigantic solar sail was still rolled up. Without gravity it was an awkward manuever for one person, but Numat rotated end over end while holding the roll of sail fabric and Adam held the other end.
He held onto the massive curtain of fabric while Numat went to the supports. It was almost like a tent frame, as they slid 8 long rods through the groves in the fabric and out the other side.
The places they snapped into were already welded on the ship. Trying to hold the rods to press them down into the snap in places was impossible, you would go careening of as the pressure you applied rebounded.
After learning that once, he had to flap his way back to the ship, brace himself by holding on to the ship hull with one hand, and pulling on the rod of the solar sail with another.
Adam worked on snapping in the sail, while Numat put together the linkage which connected the wheel at my chair to a large rudder.
Knowing the low resistance of aether, it would take a very long time to change direction through the rudder.
When he snapped in all of the parts of the sail, it rose up from the upper hull, blocking part of their view from the dome. Adam had only covered sail operation for 25 minutes on a real actual ship.
If they got this wrong, they could crash land into Miarabaha or float around into the depths of space for months.
Numat returned from fitting the rudder in place, and they slid back into the ship from the hatch, which connected to the passenger area.
When they were back inside, Adam latched the door.
Numat came with him up to the pilot's area.
"If you press in the Sail button, the wheel will be locked to only horizontal motion corresponding to the rudder. Obviously, don't activate the spirit drive."
Adam nodded.
"We're heading almost directly with the Aether, so there's not much force. If we turn just a little bit, we'll be applying force to reduce our orbit more, as the Aether will be redirected up and away from Miarahaba and the counterforce will push us down and towards the planet. We need to turn 150 degrees so the aether is directed towards Miarahaba, and the counterforce gives our orbit a bit higher trajectory."
Adam pressed the Sail button, and then turned the wheel right.
"It doesn't matter, because we can turn either direction to reverse course, but the rudder goes opposite of the way you expect," Numat said.
Adam thought about the situation, "Are we locked into the current plane of motion, because the rudder is only horizontal?"
Adam realized, they couldn't maneuver up or down, or twist the ship like a corkscrew.
"You can get out and push, but otherwise you're locked into the same celestial plane which the planets are, which is usually where we want to be anyway."
They watched through the tiny viewing slits, Adam couldn't tell how far he'd gone, but Numat finally yelled, "Stop."
He let go of the wheel. "How could you tell?"
"I could tell the force of the Aether wind resisting against the sail."
Adam noticed it's motion too.
"The sail won't produce enough force to knock us down, and there's nothing you can do except wait and calculate our orbit parameters every half hour."
Hopefully they could get to Miarahaba, and slip into orbit, and find someone to fix the ship.
Safeguard Superior 1
- Location
- Michigan
Exams & Monks Verse
Wildden Safeguard Superior
[Safeguard :- Great Superior - Superior - Nominal - Inferior]
{Security :- Public Order - Safeguard - Wildguard}
{Monastic :- Security - Sanitation - Agricultural - Mineral - Manufacturing}
{City :- Examiner - Business - Monastic}
The Monastic chapter house in the Business-order residential sector stood out, contrasting with the colorful designs of business order homes. It was placed here to allow Safeguards such as Wildden and his subordinates to patrol this part of the city, as well as housing Wildguards who patroled the wilds nearest to this southeastern city area.
The business folk resented the intrusion of monks in the area, but Governance had repeatedly stated that the chapter house was supposed to be here.
The three orders of the city, examiner, business and monastic were distributed across the city in particular ways. The adult working members of the orders were in the southwest (business), northeast (examiner) and southeast (monastic) edges of the city.
Examiner students and Business students lived in rings near the two massive education centers in the middle of the city.
The monastery was just outside of town, partially in the wilds, and monastic students were housed directly in the monastery until they reached inferior rank in a subdivision.
The Highest officials lived in exclusive neighborhoods near the halls of government. Wildden's superior officer, the Safeguard Great Superior, lived in that center area, as did the Head officials of the Security division and the entire Monastic order.
Wildden understood the trouble his fellow Superior Marlyk dealt with at the Examiner dominated northeast chapter house.
Wildden's office and quarters were seperate from the rest of the more crowded house. Between three Safeguards (nominal rank), and the 2 junior members of the safeguard team, as well as the corresponding numbers of Wildguards (only 4 in additional to the Superior), the chapter house was always full of activity.
Public Order operated in the denser parts of the city, although members of that subdivision had dropped by his chapter house to share information.
Wildden was with his Wildgard Superior level counterpart on the third floor, while the junior folk were on the first floor and responsible for cooking meals and cleaning the house. The normal or nominal level folk were on the 2nd.
He rarely saw the Wildguard superior so practically the third floor was his.
Wildden had a situation which would require his personal attention and pursuit today. He would always take on whatever the 3 officers under him could not, and the junior folk would work with them usually.
Syd, a rather bright woman by Safeguard standards, was the first of the three. Allan was strong, durable, a good leader for the juniors. Bull had that nickname because no one intimidated him out of doing what needed to be done.
An uninformed person would ask, "Why have Safeguard and Public Order, are they not the same?"
Public Order trained in quarantines, and safe occupancy limits. Monitored mass threats, riots and that kind of thing, and non-people threats such as fire and extreme weather. They coordinated with the Business order's Infrastructure group in working on new standards for buildings, electrical, plumbing, et all.
The Safeguard focused on individuals. Deviant behavior on the small scale. Trespassing, theft, electronic crimes, nominally murder, although removals usually caught any potential deviance on that order before it could explode.
The City was it's own organism which could tolerate some things, and not others, and those who could not or would not fit within it, had to be removed, to be placed in the outer places, where they would wander outside of Wildden's care and concern.
The cases which were above his team's trust level, such as the one he had to deal with today, they often concerned sensitive or highly ranked individuals.
After dressing in the white robes with shimmering silver stripes, which was the signature of the Safeguard, Wildden went into his office, and began reviewing the dossier on his pad.
Djen'tero Vice Executive Oncology
[Oncology Nurse :- Chief Executive - Vice Exective - Supervisor - Employee - Intern]
{Medical :- General - Orthopedic - Dental - ... {disciplines omitted} ... - Oncology }
{Business :- Infrastructure - Medical - Financial - Hospitality - Goods - Grocery }
{City :- Examiner - Business - Monastic}
Surveillance Data Collection Complete
Computer & Governance Examiners have evaluated the evidence as sufficient for Collection.
Charges (Major to Minor):
1. Attempted hacking of Exam computing system for the benefit of Dien'tero's daughter Elia'mina
2. Attempted bribery of promiment Computer Examiner, during Examiner's oncology office visit.
3. Overuse of City computing resources {Frivolous requests : 16 TB xfer)
Accusation
1. Daughter Elia'mina reported her father's activities, concerned for the jeopardizing of her 2nd form Exam scores.
2. Intrusion Response team forwarded Intrusion logs to Governance, Computer Senior Staff and Safeguard high command.
Collection Detail
Dien'tero is attending the City-wide Medical Business social at 11:00 today.
1. Collect with minimal attention.
2. Ensure Dien'tero's collection
3. Avoid extreme action.
Location Detail:
City-wide Medical Business social
Central South West High Density District
[Holo Directions have been implanted and will take affect once you reach the district.]
Authorization for Entry:
Governance Authorization for Entry into the Business order only event has been granted
{{PRINTING SINGLE-USE CARD}}
The Printer produced the card, which was thicker than a piece of paper, which read:
GOVERNANCE INTER-ORDER
AUTHORIZATION FOR SAFEGUARD SUPERIOR
SINGLE USE
City-Wide Medical Business Social, 01-19-157
RIGHTS: Vice Executive
The dossier continued, so he went back to that, putting the card in his robe's pocket.
Behavioral Notices:
1. Collectee remains unaware of Governance, Computer and Safeguard suspicion
2. Collectee entered the Examiner Computer division, reaching Examinee II, but was removed from the Examiner order for behavioral failure(s). Details of failures redacted at your security level.
3. Collectee behavior is degrading rapidly. Alcohol consumption restrictions have not been implemented for reasons of non-disclosure. Collectee consumption levels rising rapdly.
That was enough.
Wildden entered the numeric combination for his small desk safe, pulling the De-energizer pistol from the opened safe. He entered the Petty cash transaction log on his tablet, recording the withdrawal of 1500 credits. He recorded an estimated return amount of 1500 credits. The credits were a fallback, a resource in case his collection efforts were falling apart.
He might have to follow Dien'tero onto the VIP transport hub, if his other efforts fell apart. 250 credits should cover that. The rest was in contingencies and unknown unknowns.
Computer division and his superiors tracked everything. Who withdrew the most petty cash, and who didn't withdraw enough, and who actually used it. It was trivial for computer division, and Wildden's superiors to see what he used it for. Likewise, he had access to see what the officials under him used it for.
Wildden was trusted to withdraw 1500 credits, but there was an infamous Public Order Superior official who had a withdrawal limit of 150 credits after abuse and overuse.
The official was very good at their job, so they kept the position by the barest of margins, but their operational finance was impaired.
Wildden left his office, looking ready for an official trip. He didn't always wear these nice robes, but for a collection like this one, it was imperative.
Syd was outside his office as he stepped through.
"Safeguard", he said briefly.
"I've got a Computer division mission," she said, wearing the day to day robes of a nominal safeguard.
"What has Computer come up with now?" he said, noting the many unusual types of data and investigation they had asked for before, to complete their computer analysis of various offenses.
"Soil chemical analysis, near the edge of the city. Have to interface with Wildguard. I'm not sure why they didn't hand this one to Wildguard themselves?"
Syd was good, but also sarcastic and sometimes insufficiently serious. This wasn't another order, this was the Monastic order, and that meant obedience and dedication, and less business order behavior. He liked Syd nonetheless.
"Work with Wildguard. I have to get moving. Catching the 930 train."
"Preparing the scene?" she quipped, and then answered, "Of course I'll work with Wildguard. My real question, should I take Anthony."
"Our newest member? Let Bull take him. Take Marl. His computer assessment shows him as next in line for promotion. Wildguard will be good experience for both of you."
"Yes, Superior."
He didn't pay much attention to the juniors on the first floor. He saw a Wildguard leaving in their full wild lands gear as he left the chapter house.
Supposedly, he didn't need to be at the Social Center until 11, but Wildden didn't become the Superior official he was by showing up just on time. It was 8:51. The train headed for Center-Southwest was one minute late.
He stood, letting the few Examiners and many Business order types take the seats. They were all of the more junior ranks in their respective order, division and specific positions, but they were Business order, and Examiner order, and he was a monk.
His robes marked him as a Safeguard on significant business. No one wanted to be near him when his mission was at hand, and for all they knew, he was after someone on the train right now.
The Safeguard subdivision preferred that they had a reputation of being an enigma. No one wanted to be disruptive when they might catch the attention of an official.
All Security division attire included embedded cameras. Everything Wildden did, and everything those around him did would be tracked and collected for analysis by the Computer division and passed on to Governance as appropriate.
The train swiftly reached the Central Southwest district. The Business folk waited as the few Examiners left the train, and then Wildden waited for the business order people to leave the train and at last he got off just before the train started boarding from the other side.
Wildden ascended the stairs up to street level with speed, but with deference, making it there as the morning surge was starting to fade. Within 30 minutes, train service would be reduced to inter-rush levels, until this afternoon, when workers left their posts for the day.
The holographic display he had been promised showed a rendering of the collectee's face in question, with his current status in bold underline (HOME).
"Computer. Inquiry." he spoke to his computer interface. Without his tablet, he was limited to voice command and voice response. He preferred not to have the bulky pad in the field, unless the case indicated need for it.
"What is your Inquiry?" said a quiet feminine voice.
"Does my Governance Authorization allow me to enter the Business Social Center before 11:00?"
'Authorization is granted once at least one Chief Executive level official is on site."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome," said the computer interface.
It's polite to be polite to the computer. Some people didn't think so, but their discourtesy was likely not just to computers.
He followed the arrow to the Social Center, and walked around the block, identifying potential escape paths if the collectee was able to get out of the building.
There was no one here yet. It was likely the Chief Executive of each medical business order discipline would be arriving here sometime after 10, while the rest of the medical business people would go to their posts first thing, and then travel as a group to the social at the appropriate time.
Hopefully there were no emergency surgeries while the social was happening, as an Examiner Surgeon with no helpers would not be happy. They surely had procedures just as Safeguard has procedures for emergencies when they had their socials.
There was little but the street itself for exfiltration by the collectee. Crowds were their best approach if they intended to run.
Wildden put his years of experience in waiting to use. He stood silently outside as he waited for the Chief Executives to show up.
Why had they put the collection here, instead of at the Collectee's local office? High levels of loyalty from the Collectee's subordinates perhaps.
One Chief Executive showed up, and immediately beelined to Wildden's position.
"Can I see some authorization, monk?"
Wildden provided the Governance authority card.
"Looking to get into the building?"
"Yes Chief Executive."
The Executive, her business card identified her as Chief Executive - Radiology, lead him into the building, providing her own credentials to the Building controls.
The first thing Wildden saw inside was the Hospitality desk, where the concierge was already ready to personal welcome everyone.
He had to give credit to the Hospitality division of Business order. Every time he'd interacted with them, they had been welcoming, respectful and cheerful.
"Chief Executive Radiology Morina, what can we do to accommodate you today?"
The Concierge was a highly skilled hospitality official, a Vice Executive perhaps.
The Radiologist conferred with her briefly, and Wildden stood at attention. Giving people no excuse to look down on the Monastic Order was a key operating principle for Senior monastic officials.
Everything he did would be tracked and made part of his Field score, which composed part of his overall evaluation, which determined his present and future prospects, subject to a lot of Computer division analysis of his records.
Finally the Concierge approached him, as the Chief Executive headed to the Cocktail bar at the other end of the greeting hall.
"Safeguard Superior. The Chief Executive confirmed your authorization to be here and our records confirm this. Please operate with decorum and strive to avoid disruption to the event scheduled today," said the Concierge.
"I have already received orders to operate with a minimum of disruption. I will be dedicated to ensuring that is true," he said.
"Please inform us of any weaponry on your person."
He placed the desistor on the back table behind the concierge counter, where the Hospitality official was verifying and registering the weapons. Additionally he placed his emergency laser pistol on the table.
"Is such a thing neccessary?" she asked him.
"It's only emergency only operation. Central has to confirm with an Emergency clearance code before I can use it. I have no plans to use it today."
"How can I accommodate you this morning," she asked, handing back his weapons. The desistor he hanged again from his cloth belt, and the laz he stuffed into a secure pocket in his robes.
"If it's possible, can you summarize where the medical business order officials will be at during the Social?"
"My assistant will be greeting the majority of the guests as they arrive. The Chief Executives and the Medical division leadership will be meeting in a council room on the third floor. The rest of the officials will be moving between the Cocktail bar here, and the large meeting hall on the 2nd floor."
Meeting, or Cocktail bar. On one hand, if attention was on a speaker in the hall, he could quietly collect his target, but if he did cause a disruption there, it would be a much worse disruption.
The Cocktail Bar would offer him a chance to operate when there was less to disrupt. Simply approach Dien'tero and suggest stepping away for a moment.
The less disruptive option surely would be the Cocktail bar. It was tempting to try for a silent collection during some meetings, but the chance of failure was too much.
Perhaps the Great Superior drank, and he knew the leadership in the City Center socialized and stayed connected with the other orders, causing them to live a different lifestyle than the rank and file, but Wildden didn't drink, and he didn't allow his subordinates to drink.
He chose a seltzer water on the rocks instead, keeping the appearance of being part of the gathering. Immersion wasn't part of the Monastic order's strong suit, but he had learned to be more discrete than most monks.
He had very little in common with a Business order or Examiner order officials, few luxuries and monastic social opportunities were rare. Marriage and family was only a possibility at the Great Superior rank for monks.
He sat at the far end of the polished mahogany bar, which curved to fill up a large wedge around the Bartender and his alcoholic paraphenelia.
The Radiologist exec had already left the bar, so it was empty, save the bartender, who continued to go into a back room to gather more supplies.
Wildden's position was such that he could see everyone who came up to the bar. When visual become blocked because of the rush of Medical officials, he would be able to use his tracker hologram to identify his Collectee.
He was surprised then, when a Chief Executive approached, and stood next to where he was seated, waiting for the Bartender to reappear.
Decorum required that he stand up and acknowledge the official of a superior order and superior rank. There were a few cases where decorum had to be broken for Sageguard business, but part of your evaluation was whether you minimized such breaches. The honor of the upper orders and high officials was considered crucial to the Computer systems Examiners who programmed the evaluations for every adult official in the City.
He bowed slightly, as he stood up, "Chief Executive."
"Psychiatry, she filled in. And you, Superior?"
"Safeguard," he said, trying to keep his conversation honorable and limited.
"Joleen" she said. Unconventional for her to introduce herself to a person of lower order who she will probably never see again.
"Wildden. Might I ask if there's something you wanted to approach me for? It's unfortunate, but I have business to attend to at this social.
"Well Wildden. I've been an Psychiatric chief assist on a few cases connected with your division's 'collection' efforts. Seeing a Safeguard, and a Superior as well, that was of note."
"I never thought about what happens after collection and processing," Wildden said. "I suppose Remediation is the hoped for outcome."
"We can get them returned to a position a bit lower than they offended at, depending on the severity of offenses. If they successfully pass through remediation and therapy, and choose to change course, they can continue in their order. Like everything in the City, it requires testing. But enough of my world, you base out of the Chapter house in the Business residential district?"
"I'm in charge of the Chapter," he said, not sure why it slipped. Checking briefly, his target still wasn't here but a few other Chief Executives had sat down at the other end of the bar.
"So Safeguard is a smaller subdivision than I expected, with a Superior running the whole chapter? I'm just one of 23 Chiefs among Med Bus."
"Most of our Safeguards are based out of the Headquarters. As Chapter houses, we only handle cases involving adults in Business order and Examiner Order. Central handles the other cases.
"A lot more of those then," she asked.
"There's a lot of tension and work for Public Order during the major Examiner and Business tests. There are safeguards in the monastery itself keeping an eye on any wildcard trainees. And Safeguard central picks up the pieces, whatever cases that need to be pursued Individuals angry at their placement. Most people are well aware and under control. They realize the system can't be diverted. An order is immutable. But some few abuse their authority, mostly those with the smallest amounts of it, but in a few cases, more senior officials."
She stood up. "Well listen, I need to get up to the third floor, for our Chiefs meeting, but I want to see more lines of communication open. I'm sending you my contact information. I would like to meet sometime again."
She stepped away, and he waved his glass of selter at her in passing.
She turned back for a moment, "And Wildden, it only takes a little thought and sense to realize the only level of official you would be here for, and not your superior or your subordinate."
Everyone else left him alone, although in the crush of all of the less senior officials entering the bar, he gave up his stool and stood in the corner.
His voice activated computer spoke softly. "Collectee is entering the building."
Other than Joleen, everyone else had been distracted, talking to each other, and no one had taken notice of a Monastic order official in the room.
"Dien!" said one of the women at the bar, a fellow Vice Executive.
Dien'tero approached the bar. "Sarani," he said to the other executive.
"I'll have a Manhattan," he told the bartender.
Dien'tero, of all of the people near the bar, actually glanced at him, as he stood in the corner, near a table full of Medical officials.
His Collectee looked away, chatting with those around him amiably. There was a tension in the man, Wildden believed he saw it. He carefully weaved through the group of officials, trying to make no noise nor disturbance.
Dien'tero looked at him again, and this time, the man was ready to act. Giving his drink to 'Sarani', he pretended to be calm, and told everyone around him that he had left something behind and had to check the lost-and-found.
By the time Wildden got out of the crush of officials, his collectee had left the building.
The white LED lights on the chandelier, and those in the ceiling mounts flashed red, and the lights pulsed, strobed almost.
"THIS IS A SECURITY LEVEL 1 WARNING. ALL EGRESS POINTS ARE INACCESSIBLE UNTIL THIS SECURITY WARNING IS RELEASED. PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE."
The Concierge came running to the Hospitality desk as Wildden approached it.
"Did you trigger that?" the Concierge said heatedly.
"I have no authority to do something like that. Only High Command could trigger that," he said truthfully.
Wildden watched as the Concierge tried to connect to her own systems without luck. After another thirty seconds, he turned to the door, wondering if it was possible that Dien'tero knew something or someone to cause a warning.
"SECURITY LEVEL 1 WARNING CLEAR. YOU MAY RESUME YOUR ACTIVITIES."
The Hologram showed Dien'Tero already descending to the subway platform. This was bad, but Wildden had experience.
"Request a 15 second delay on all trains, Central Southwest Main Station," he spoke to his computer.
The request was encoded and sent on the rapid response loop to Computer division's central command.
He didn't know whether he would get it, but he ran towards the subway stairwell.
The little dimple button on the right side of his belt activated the Safeguard warning system.
"SAFEGUARD COLLECTION IN PURSUIT. SUPERIOR OFFICIAL IN PURSUIT OF SUSPECT."
Only a few were entering the Subway at this point, most people were arriving here in this business district. Those few who were stepped to the side as Wildden bounded down the steps, his training making what would seem reckless, routine.
"REQUEST GRANTED," returned Computer Command.
15 seconds was all he was allowed to request. The hologram still pointed him to the platform, as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he identified Dien'tero two platforms down.
The train was rolling in, and would be there within a few seconds. Unfortunately for Dien'tero, there was no crowd waiting with him. It was easy to lock on to just the Collectee with his desistor.
He pressed the trigger, and Dien'tero toppled over. He disabled the Safeguard warning system.
"Nothing to be concerned about here. We will be gone within a moment."
He walked over to the platform where Dien'tero was collapsed and unconscious.
"Notify the transport team. Send HQ confirmation," he told the computer.
The desistor was ultimately an electronic tool, overriding the target's security rights and privileges, causing a temporary unconsciousness and preventing movement.
People were broadly aware and afraid of the desistor, so a voluntary collection was far more frequent. Dien'tero's evaluation would be lower because he didn't take a voluntary collection. If he interfered with Computer division operations to cause the Security Warning he would likely tack on a S class offense.
A Vice Executive like Dien'Tero would usually end up with a few choices after serious crime. Go through an evaluation program to return to the business order at a lower rank, or start over in the Monastic order as a Trainee, or leave the City entirely.
The City divided and separated authority. Wildden could apprehend the suspect, but Public Order's transport team would take him to Legal.The Transport team could transport him, but only Legal's Advocate and Governance's Sentencing Subdivision could determine sentencing and offer choices.
Wildden travelled with the Public Order team as they carried Dien'Tero onto the Public Order special train car, which attached to the arriving train, and was loaded first, before the rest of the travelers could get off.
Quickly, the Public Order Transport team carried Dien'Tero onto the train car, and Wildden followed him. He would stay beside Dien'Tero throughout transport and sentencing, as an immediate presence in case of any attempted escape. Few tried such things these days, however. It was largely a formality for Wildden to follow his Collectee, but he had an interest in how the other parts of the Enforcement system worked, so it didn't bother him.
The special car detached from the main train as they reached the Southwest district station. It followed another train that traveled between Southwest and City Center, and Wildden and the Public Order team unloaded Dien'Tero from the special car after the rest of the passengers debarked from the other cars.
It was two blocks at street level, so the now conscious Collectee was escorted swiftly to the central Legal division complex.
They entered the complex and headed left at the signpost with directions to different parts of the facility.
There were two dozen sentencing rooms, and that was for the entire City. Only half of those were occupied as they entered.
The Legal official recorded their information as Safeguard and Public Order representatives. She noted Dien'Tero and the charges against him and directed them to room 7.
The public order officials took his collectee to the room, and Wildden followed behind. Dien'tero was seated and secured, and Public Order left, but Wildden stood still behind the chair.
An Associate Examiner of Legal division (Sentencing Subdivision) entered the room, followed by a Governance division (Sentencing Subdivision) Full Examiner.
"Pardon the delay, I was involved with another case," said the governance minister. Examiner order ranks and levels were more involved than in the other two orders, so it was tough for Wildden to draw a parallel between his level and these ministers. Except they were nonetheless far above him in practical authority and esteem.
Dien'Tero was facing the Governance minister, who sat down at the far end of the conference table, while the Legal division associate sat at one of the chairs on the side of the table and closer to Dien'Tero.
Legal spoke first, looking to the Governance associate. "Am I correct summarizing that these charges are 2 Class A offenses, a Class C offense, 1 Class D offense, Honored Examiner?"
"Legal Associate, you are correct in confirming that those were the original offenses analyzed in Computer Division document 6a-7d19. However, during the Collection attempt, additional offenses were analyzed. The Computer division Addendum - Pursuant Offenses document should be arriving in your inbox now."
"I will refer briefly to such document then," the Legal associate asked.
"Granted."
The associate pulled a tablet out of his briefcase and placed it on the table.
Wildden let his vision blur as he avoided focusing on the associate or anyone else. Dien'tero would find it impossible to escape now, but he kept the sentencee in mind.
After five minutes, the Legal associate put away the tablet and returned to the order of business.
"Permission to proceed?" they asked the Governance minister.
"Granted."
"Vice Executive Dien'Tero," the associate addressed Dien'Tero.
"Yes sir," he said to the associate.
"You are charged the following Offense codes: S-CC1 Serious Computer Crime, A-ED7 Suborning of Educational Integrity, B-SG1 Resisting collection by an Authorized Safeguard official. C-FC Financial Crimes against Computer division minister, D-FC Frivilous over-use of Computer Resources. I am your legal representative, pursuing the best course of action for you, in consideration of the offenses which have been analyzed and found overwhelmingly probable."
"Thank you sir," Dien'Tero said. There was little fight left in him.
"Can you describe your encounter with Superior Safeguard Wildden, including what followed subsequently?"
"I spotted him standing in the corner. He stood out among all of the Medical Business officials. After having some other conversations, I noticed that he was moving away from the corner, and I thought he must be after me. I carefully made my way out of the crowd, giving an excuse, and left the building.
I knew a few people in Computer division, I'm sure you know I was in the training program before being reassigned to Medical. I contacted a junior examiner I had known before who said they would flag the building computer system. Some kind of corruption causing a temporary security warning. They didn't know how long it would last. It. It was a favor, they owed me, and now I was in their debt.
The Train was late, and then I was desisted. The end."
The Governance Minister spoke up, "The matter with the Computer examiner will be dealt with separately. Are there any more preparatory questions, Legal Associate?"
"Honored Minister, we don't have any questions or objections."
"Thank you, Legal Associate. Now, beginning with this Sentencing Presentment, Governance will start with the lesser Offenses and proceed to the more Serious offenses. Due to the Composite of all Offenses duly charged at this time, Governance is prepared to drop Class D and Class C offenses, however, we will fully charge Class B, Class A and Class S offenses.
"On the charge of Resisting Collection, you will be placed in a monitoring program with an automated desister implant. On the charge of Suborning of Educational Integrity. An order of protection will be granted preventing you from approaching Second Form student Elia'Mina. Elia'Mina has already been provided with alternative residency in anticipation of your Collection. You are formally stripped from the Business Order and Medical Division within it, pending Trainee assignment to the Monastic Order. All privileges and expectations pursuant to the rank of Vice Executive - Oncology, have been removed. New attire will be provided as appropriate for Post-Sentencing and Pre-Training. Subsequent behavioral infractions will be doubled in their effect on your Monastic evaluation. Subsequent sentencing will result in an automatic expulsion from the City.
"On the charge of Serious Computer Crime. Your violation of the trust of our Computing system in the pursuit of Resisting Collection is a Severe offense. Governance has declared that it is willing to put repentance to the test and allow Senior officials of the Examiner and Business orders to show their contrition and obedience in Monastic training. Basic Monastic Training will test your humility and integrity and ability to relocate your identity in a lowly station. You will be classified as Security-Exempt, and not allowed to enter that division, but all other divisions are open to you if you pass your training.
"Because of the accumulation of offenses, the doubled penalty for behavioral infractions will instead be quadrupled.
Your first Option, is to accept these burdens and begin again as a Monastic Trainee (Class L). You will progress to being a normal Monastic Trainee and then advance further if you show humility, respect for Governance and Superior Officers and work with Excellence and Dedication.
Your second Option, is to be escorted outside of the City, never to return. You will be Expelled and Expunged from our records.
Legal Associate, please advise the Sentencee of his choices."
This was the part, that 95% of the time was predictable. Some people were Citizens, and some people were Opportunists. Wildden predicted Dien'Tero would choose exile before humilitation and humility.
He did.
It was the Wildguard who would take the Exilee out of the City, so Wildden could finally say his goodbyes to the Legal Associate and Governance and make his way back to the Chapter house.
Most of the time when he went out, it was with another Safeguard. But this one was important to Governance, that they wanted to keep things small and quiet.
~ o ~ o ~ # ~ o ~ o~
Joleen Chief Executive Psychiatry
[Psychiatry :- Chief Executive - Vice Executive - Supervisor - Employee - Intern]
{Medical :- General - Orthopedic - Dental - ... {disciplines omitted} ... - Psychiatry }
{Business :- Infrastructure - Medical - Financial - Hospitality - Goods - Grocery }
{City :- Examiner - Business - Monastic}
Samae was hungry. She had been studying and working on problem sets at School all day. It was sixthday. Joleen wished her daughter didn't have to spend so much time, even on seventhday, studying and doing practice exams. But it was necessary if she was going to rise higher than Joleen, and make an Examiner of herself.
Joleen considered the Safeguard she had seen that morning. Though he was part of the lowest order he seemed content, even happy about his career. She doubted he'd been involved in any sort of behavioral infractions.
Samae had a few trifling notes in her behavioral file. Mostly her interrupting other students accidentally, because she wanted to contribute. They were only a 2 point malus in aggregate, which was considered quite good for the daughter of a Business order executive. She wanted to be offended, but she worked with business executives, and managed them. She knew that they had occasional lapses.
The Security Warning on the building had been weird, but she assumed it was something to do with Wildden's task.
Oncology sub-division Vice Executive Dien'Tero has been expelled from the city after collection and sentencing today.
She wasn't there when the collection happened, being on the third floor in a mostly pointless meeting.There were points to discuss, but points that all of the Chief Executives already agreed with.
Tommorrow she would reinforce these points with the Vice Executives at Central Mental Health Hospital.
Expulsion was something she thought a lot about. The Mentally Ill, would they ever get better. Would it be better to expel them, or to continue consuming a bed. How can they do more on an outpatient basis. It was a bit disturbing.
The Doctor division Examiners who her subordinates worked with almost always chose expulsion. The Mental Hospital was not designed to support long term care.
The City was an aspirational, an uplifting place. Not a place that accepted everyone, but a place that filtered out only the suitably stable and proficient. You had to at least pass the monastic tests and become an Inferior.
But she now suspected the Monastic exams wasn't any easier than the Business exams, just testing different things.
Examiners, and students still on that highest track like Samae, were subjected to intense intellectual and behavioral standards. In First Form, half of the students were sent straight to the monastery. Only a quarter continued on, and a quarter went to Business school.
Samae was bright and lucky to be close to making Third Form.
But there were 14 Form ranks, and then you were assigned, or if you were extremely lucky, got to choose a division. Governance, Education and Computing were the most exclusive and difficult divisions to get into, they ran the city, essentially. The GEC council of Division Examiners was the highest authority.
After reaching Examinee I in a division, you still had to advanced through five Examinee ranks, where you began to apply your knowledge to real situations in a double checked and supervised way, and then finally you became an Intern Examiner.
So many intern examiners showed up in her hospital. They had freedom in daily life that they had lacked before and they didn't know how to handle it.
The possibility of Marriage and children and a new social life, plus insane expectations at work meant they faced a crucible of pressures.
Joleen was still statistically unlikely to make it that far but they could hope. She needed to make Intern Examiner by 30 or she would be sent to start over in Business school.
For her own order, after they passed through the 8 trainee ranks, students only had to go through Intern and Junior positions before they had a full position and freedom to socialize and fraternize.
The monastic order was different. Even this Wildden had probably never been to a real party other than strictly controlled Security division socials. Only Great Superiors running whole subdivisions would be invited to the kind of gatherings her subordinates would be invited to.
It was curiosity which lead her to send a short message to the Safeguard Superior.
Her own position placed her at the bottom tier of business Chief Executives. Her boss, the head of Medical division Business order (Med Bus), was an active and well regarded member of the scene. The size of Med Bus gave the Division Chief a lot of credibility and appreciation from even the examiners.
Joleen was just one amongst the crowd of Chief executives, invited to some parties, but not others, able to split the difference between the lives of those like her boss, and those like her subordinates.
Vice Executives were still part of the body of Business order membership, while Division Chiefs had a half step into the places higher still, speaking with the GEC council on occasion. The head of the entire Business order of course was frequently meeting with them.
It would be a mini scandal, but Joleen was amused by the idea of inviting Willden to a social event.
She sent the chat message.
Joleen here,
I imagine you are there, back in the Chapter House,
perhaps dealing with the endless work of managing subordinates, like I am
perhaps reading through more documents
perhaps using jargon specific to your position.
I just thought
That I would check in.
It might be odd,
But I would like to ask you a few questions
Curiosity beckons
Carisca Crema, tommorrow, 6 pm sharp.
Let me know.
She didn't need to mention her name, as it would display that first, but it was part of her personal style.
She reviewed her schedule for tomorrow. Review of computer evaluations. Lunch with the Supervising Examiner of the Doctors Division, Psychiatric Subdivision. Her counterpart, leading the Psychiatrists as she lead the assistants and Practitioners.
A surprising amount could be done by a Senior Practitioner, without needing to schedule a doctor's consult. She had 7 Vice Executives with their own Lead Medical Role, under the authority (but not supervision) of a Senior Psychiatric Doctor.
Most of those under her leadership were in an Assistant Medical Role. But they did a lot of the work.
Wildden Safeguard Superior
[Safeguard :- Great Superior - Superior - Nominal - Inferior]
{Security :- Public Order - Safeguard - Wildguard}
{Monastic :- Security - Sanitation - Agricultural - Mineral - Manufacturing}
{City :- Examiner - Business - Monastic}
The Monastic chapter house in the Business-order residential sector stood out, contrasting with the colorful designs of business order homes. It was placed here to allow Safeguards such as Wildden and his subordinates to patrol this part of the city, as well as housing Wildguards who patroled the wilds nearest to this southeastern city area.
The business folk resented the intrusion of monks in the area, but Governance had repeatedly stated that the chapter house was supposed to be here.
The three orders of the city, examiner, business and monastic were distributed across the city in particular ways. The adult working members of the orders were in the southwest (business), northeast (examiner) and southeast (monastic) edges of the city.
Examiner students and Business students lived in rings near the two massive education centers in the middle of the city.
The monastery was just outside of town, partially in the wilds, and monastic students were housed directly in the monastery until they reached inferior rank in a subdivision.
The Highest officials lived in exclusive neighborhoods near the halls of government. Wildden's superior officer, the Safeguard Great Superior, lived in that center area, as did the Head officials of the Security division and the entire Monastic order.
Wildden understood the trouble his fellow Superior Marlyk dealt with at the Examiner dominated northeast chapter house.
Wildden's office and quarters were seperate from the rest of the more crowded house. Between three Safeguards (nominal rank), and the 2 junior members of the safeguard team, as well as the corresponding numbers of Wildguards (only 4 in additional to the Superior), the chapter house was always full of activity.
Public Order operated in the denser parts of the city, although members of that subdivision had dropped by his chapter house to share information.
Wildden was with his Wildgard Superior level counterpart on the third floor, while the junior folk were on the first floor and responsible for cooking meals and cleaning the house. The normal or nominal level folk were on the 2nd.
He rarely saw the Wildguard superior so practically the third floor was his.
Wildden had a situation which would require his personal attention and pursuit today. He would always take on whatever the 3 officers under him could not, and the junior folk would work with them usually.
Syd, a rather bright woman by Safeguard standards, was the first of the three. Allan was strong, durable, a good leader for the juniors. Bull had that nickname because no one intimidated him out of doing what needed to be done.
An uninformed person would ask, "Why have Safeguard and Public Order, are they not the same?"
Public Order trained in quarantines, and safe occupancy limits. Monitored mass threats, riots and that kind of thing, and non-people threats such as fire and extreme weather. They coordinated with the Business order's Infrastructure group in working on new standards for buildings, electrical, plumbing, et all.
The Safeguard focused on individuals. Deviant behavior on the small scale. Trespassing, theft, electronic crimes, nominally murder, although removals usually caught any potential deviance on that order before it could explode.
The City was it's own organism which could tolerate some things, and not others, and those who could not or would not fit within it, had to be removed, to be placed in the outer places, where they would wander outside of Wildden's care and concern.
The cases which were above his team's trust level, such as the one he had to deal with today, they often concerned sensitive or highly ranked individuals.
After dressing in the white robes with shimmering silver stripes, which was the signature of the Safeguard, Wildden went into his office, and began reviewing the dossier on his pad.
Djen'tero Vice Executive Oncology
[Oncology Nurse :- Chief Executive - Vice Exective - Supervisor - Employee - Intern]
{Medical :- General - Orthopedic - Dental - ... {disciplines omitted} ... - Oncology }
{Business :- Infrastructure - Medical - Financial - Hospitality - Goods - Grocery }
{City :- Examiner - Business - Monastic}
Surveillance Data Collection Complete
Computer & Governance Examiners have evaluated the evidence as sufficient for Collection.
Charges (Major to Minor):
1. Attempted hacking of Exam computing system for the benefit of Dien'tero's daughter Elia'mina
2. Attempted bribery of promiment Computer Examiner, during Examiner's oncology office visit.
3. Overuse of City computing resources {Frivolous requests : 16 TB xfer)
Accusation
1. Daughter Elia'mina reported her father's activities, concerned for the jeopardizing of her 2nd form Exam scores.
2. Intrusion Response team forwarded Intrusion logs to Governance, Computer Senior Staff and Safeguard high command.
Collection Detail
Dien'tero is attending the City-wide Medical Business social at 11:00 today.
1. Collect with minimal attention.
2. Ensure Dien'tero's collection
3. Avoid extreme action.
Location Detail:
City-wide Medical Business social
Central South West High Density District
[Holo Directions have been implanted and will take affect once you reach the district.]
Authorization for Entry:
Governance Authorization for Entry into the Business order only event has been granted
{{PRINTING SINGLE-USE CARD}}
The Printer produced the card, which was thicker than a piece of paper, which read:
GOVERNANCE INTER-ORDER
AUTHORIZATION FOR SAFEGUARD SUPERIOR
SINGLE USE
City-Wide Medical Business Social, 01-19-157
RIGHTS: Vice Executive
The dossier continued, so he went back to that, putting the card in his robe's pocket.
Behavioral Notices:
1. Collectee remains unaware of Governance, Computer and Safeguard suspicion
2. Collectee entered the Examiner Computer division, reaching Examinee II, but was removed from the Examiner order for behavioral failure(s). Details of failures redacted at your security level.
3. Collectee behavior is degrading rapidly. Alcohol consumption restrictions have not been implemented for reasons of non-disclosure. Collectee consumption levels rising rapdly.
That was enough.
Wildden entered the numeric combination for his small desk safe, pulling the De-energizer pistol from the opened safe. He entered the Petty cash transaction log on his tablet, recording the withdrawal of 1500 credits. He recorded an estimated return amount of 1500 credits. The credits were a fallback, a resource in case his collection efforts were falling apart.
He might have to follow Dien'tero onto the VIP transport hub, if his other efforts fell apart. 250 credits should cover that. The rest was in contingencies and unknown unknowns.
Computer division and his superiors tracked everything. Who withdrew the most petty cash, and who didn't withdraw enough, and who actually used it. It was trivial for computer division, and Wildden's superiors to see what he used it for. Likewise, he had access to see what the officials under him used it for.
Wildden was trusted to withdraw 1500 credits, but there was an infamous Public Order Superior official who had a withdrawal limit of 150 credits after abuse and overuse.
The official was very good at their job, so they kept the position by the barest of margins, but their operational finance was impaired.
Wildden left his office, looking ready for an official trip. He didn't always wear these nice robes, but for a collection like this one, it was imperative.
Syd was outside his office as he stepped through.
"Safeguard", he said briefly.
"I've got a Computer division mission," she said, wearing the day to day robes of a nominal safeguard.
"What has Computer come up with now?" he said, noting the many unusual types of data and investigation they had asked for before, to complete their computer analysis of various offenses.
"Soil chemical analysis, near the edge of the city. Have to interface with Wildguard. I'm not sure why they didn't hand this one to Wildguard themselves?"
Syd was good, but also sarcastic and sometimes insufficiently serious. This wasn't another order, this was the Monastic order, and that meant obedience and dedication, and less business order behavior. He liked Syd nonetheless.
"Work with Wildguard. I have to get moving. Catching the 930 train."
"Preparing the scene?" she quipped, and then answered, "Of course I'll work with Wildguard. My real question, should I take Anthony."
"Our newest member? Let Bull take him. Take Marl. His computer assessment shows him as next in line for promotion. Wildguard will be good experience for both of you."
"Yes, Superior."
He didn't pay much attention to the juniors on the first floor. He saw a Wildguard leaving in their full wild lands gear as he left the chapter house.
Supposedly, he didn't need to be at the Social Center until 11, but Wildden didn't become the Superior official he was by showing up just on time. It was 8:51. The train headed for Center-Southwest was one minute late.
He stood, letting the few Examiners and many Business order types take the seats. They were all of the more junior ranks in their respective order, division and specific positions, but they were Business order, and Examiner order, and he was a monk.
His robes marked him as a Safeguard on significant business. No one wanted to be near him when his mission was at hand, and for all they knew, he was after someone on the train right now.
The Safeguard subdivision preferred that they had a reputation of being an enigma. No one wanted to be disruptive when they might catch the attention of an official.
All Security division attire included embedded cameras. Everything Wildden did, and everything those around him did would be tracked and collected for analysis by the Computer division and passed on to Governance as appropriate.
The train swiftly reached the Central Southwest district. The Business folk waited as the few Examiners left the train, and then Wildden waited for the business order people to leave the train and at last he got off just before the train started boarding from the other side.
Wildden ascended the stairs up to street level with speed, but with deference, making it there as the morning surge was starting to fade. Within 30 minutes, train service would be reduced to inter-rush levels, until this afternoon, when workers left their posts for the day.
The holographic display he had been promised showed a rendering of the collectee's face in question, with his current status in bold underline (HOME).
"Computer. Inquiry." he spoke to his computer interface. Without his tablet, he was limited to voice command and voice response. He preferred not to have the bulky pad in the field, unless the case indicated need for it.
"What is your Inquiry?" said a quiet feminine voice.
"Does my Governance Authorization allow me to enter the Business Social Center before 11:00?"
'Authorization is granted once at least one Chief Executive level official is on site."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome," said the computer interface.
It's polite to be polite to the computer. Some people didn't think so, but their discourtesy was likely not just to computers.
He followed the arrow to the Social Center, and walked around the block, identifying potential escape paths if the collectee was able to get out of the building.
There was no one here yet. It was likely the Chief Executive of each medical business order discipline would be arriving here sometime after 10, while the rest of the medical business people would go to their posts first thing, and then travel as a group to the social at the appropriate time.
Hopefully there were no emergency surgeries while the social was happening, as an Examiner Surgeon with no helpers would not be happy. They surely had procedures just as Safeguard has procedures for emergencies when they had their socials.
There was little but the street itself for exfiltration by the collectee. Crowds were their best approach if they intended to run.
Wildden put his years of experience in waiting to use. He stood silently outside as he waited for the Chief Executives to show up.
Why had they put the collection here, instead of at the Collectee's local office? High levels of loyalty from the Collectee's subordinates perhaps.
One Chief Executive showed up, and immediately beelined to Wildden's position.
"Can I see some authorization, monk?"
Wildden provided the Governance authority card.
"Looking to get into the building?"
"Yes Chief Executive."
The Executive, her business card identified her as Chief Executive - Radiology, lead him into the building, providing her own credentials to the Building controls.
The first thing Wildden saw inside was the Hospitality desk, where the concierge was already ready to personal welcome everyone.
He had to give credit to the Hospitality division of Business order. Every time he'd interacted with them, they had been welcoming, respectful and cheerful.
"Chief Executive Radiology Morina, what can we do to accommodate you today?"
The Concierge was a highly skilled hospitality official, a Vice Executive perhaps.
The Radiologist conferred with her briefly, and Wildden stood at attention. Giving people no excuse to look down on the Monastic Order was a key operating principle for Senior monastic officials.
Everything he did would be tracked and made part of his Field score, which composed part of his overall evaluation, which determined his present and future prospects, subject to a lot of Computer division analysis of his records.
Finally the Concierge approached him, as the Chief Executive headed to the Cocktail bar at the other end of the greeting hall.
"Safeguard Superior. The Chief Executive confirmed your authorization to be here and our records confirm this. Please operate with decorum and strive to avoid disruption to the event scheduled today," said the Concierge.
"I have already received orders to operate with a minimum of disruption. I will be dedicated to ensuring that is true," he said.
"Please inform us of any weaponry on your person."
He placed the desistor on the back table behind the concierge counter, where the Hospitality official was verifying and registering the weapons. Additionally he placed his emergency laser pistol on the table.
"Is such a thing neccessary?" she asked him.
"It's only emergency only operation. Central has to confirm with an Emergency clearance code before I can use it. I have no plans to use it today."
"How can I accommodate you this morning," she asked, handing back his weapons. The desistor he hanged again from his cloth belt, and the laz he stuffed into a secure pocket in his robes.
"If it's possible, can you summarize where the medical business order officials will be at during the Social?"
"My assistant will be greeting the majority of the guests as they arrive. The Chief Executives and the Medical division leadership will be meeting in a council room on the third floor. The rest of the officials will be moving between the Cocktail bar here, and the large meeting hall on the 2nd floor."
Meeting, or Cocktail bar. On one hand, if attention was on a speaker in the hall, he could quietly collect his target, but if he did cause a disruption there, it would be a much worse disruption.
The Cocktail Bar would offer him a chance to operate when there was less to disrupt. Simply approach Dien'tero and suggest stepping away for a moment.
The less disruptive option surely would be the Cocktail bar. It was tempting to try for a silent collection during some meetings, but the chance of failure was too much.
Perhaps the Great Superior drank, and he knew the leadership in the City Center socialized and stayed connected with the other orders, causing them to live a different lifestyle than the rank and file, but Wildden didn't drink, and he didn't allow his subordinates to drink.
He chose a seltzer water on the rocks instead, keeping the appearance of being part of the gathering. Immersion wasn't part of the Monastic order's strong suit, but he had learned to be more discrete than most monks.
He had very little in common with a Business order or Examiner order officials, few luxuries and monastic social opportunities were rare. Marriage and family was only a possibility at the Great Superior rank for monks.
He sat at the far end of the polished mahogany bar, which curved to fill up a large wedge around the Bartender and his alcoholic paraphenelia.
The Radiologist exec had already left the bar, so it was empty, save the bartender, who continued to go into a back room to gather more supplies.
Wildden's position was such that he could see everyone who came up to the bar. When visual become blocked because of the rush of Medical officials, he would be able to use his tracker hologram to identify his Collectee.
He was surprised then, when a Chief Executive approached, and stood next to where he was seated, waiting for the Bartender to reappear.
Decorum required that he stand up and acknowledge the official of a superior order and superior rank. There were a few cases where decorum had to be broken for Sageguard business, but part of your evaluation was whether you minimized such breaches. The honor of the upper orders and high officials was considered crucial to the Computer systems Examiners who programmed the evaluations for every adult official in the City.
He bowed slightly, as he stood up, "Chief Executive."
"Psychiatry, she filled in. And you, Superior?"
"Safeguard," he said, trying to keep his conversation honorable and limited.
"Joleen" she said. Unconventional for her to introduce herself to a person of lower order who she will probably never see again.
"Wildden. Might I ask if there's something you wanted to approach me for? It's unfortunate, but I have business to attend to at this social.
"Well Wildden. I've been an Psychiatric chief assist on a few cases connected with your division's 'collection' efforts. Seeing a Safeguard, and a Superior as well, that was of note."
"I never thought about what happens after collection and processing," Wildden said. "I suppose Remediation is the hoped for outcome."
"We can get them returned to a position a bit lower than they offended at, depending on the severity of offenses. If they successfully pass through remediation and therapy, and choose to change course, they can continue in their order. Like everything in the City, it requires testing. But enough of my world, you base out of the Chapter house in the Business residential district?"
"I'm in charge of the Chapter," he said, not sure why it slipped. Checking briefly, his target still wasn't here but a few other Chief Executives had sat down at the other end of the bar.
"So Safeguard is a smaller subdivision than I expected, with a Superior running the whole chapter? I'm just one of 23 Chiefs among Med Bus."
"Most of our Safeguards are based out of the Headquarters. As Chapter houses, we only handle cases involving adults in Business order and Examiner Order. Central handles the other cases.
"A lot more of those then," she asked.
"There's a lot of tension and work for Public Order during the major Examiner and Business tests. There are safeguards in the monastery itself keeping an eye on any wildcard trainees. And Safeguard central picks up the pieces, whatever cases that need to be pursued Individuals angry at their placement. Most people are well aware and under control. They realize the system can't be diverted. An order is immutable. But some few abuse their authority, mostly those with the smallest amounts of it, but in a few cases, more senior officials."
She stood up. "Well listen, I need to get up to the third floor, for our Chiefs meeting, but I want to see more lines of communication open. I'm sending you my contact information. I would like to meet sometime again."
She stepped away, and he waved his glass of selter at her in passing.
She turned back for a moment, "And Wildden, it only takes a little thought and sense to realize the only level of official you would be here for, and not your superior or your subordinate."
Everyone else left him alone, although in the crush of all of the less senior officials entering the bar, he gave up his stool and stood in the corner.
His voice activated computer spoke softly. "Collectee is entering the building."
Other than Joleen, everyone else had been distracted, talking to each other, and no one had taken notice of a Monastic order official in the room.
"Dien!" said one of the women at the bar, a fellow Vice Executive.
Dien'tero approached the bar. "Sarani," he said to the other executive.
"I'll have a Manhattan," he told the bartender.
Dien'tero, of all of the people near the bar, actually glanced at him, as he stood in the corner, near a table full of Medical officials.
His Collectee looked away, chatting with those around him amiably. There was a tension in the man, Wildden believed he saw it. He carefully weaved through the group of officials, trying to make no noise nor disturbance.
Dien'tero looked at him again, and this time, the man was ready to act. Giving his drink to 'Sarani', he pretended to be calm, and told everyone around him that he had left something behind and had to check the lost-and-found.
By the time Wildden got out of the crush of officials, his collectee had left the building.
The white LED lights on the chandelier, and those in the ceiling mounts flashed red, and the lights pulsed, strobed almost.
"THIS IS A SECURITY LEVEL 1 WARNING. ALL EGRESS POINTS ARE INACCESSIBLE UNTIL THIS SECURITY WARNING IS RELEASED. PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE."
The Concierge came running to the Hospitality desk as Wildden approached it.
"Did you trigger that?" the Concierge said heatedly.
"I have no authority to do something like that. Only High Command could trigger that," he said truthfully.
Wildden watched as the Concierge tried to connect to her own systems without luck. After another thirty seconds, he turned to the door, wondering if it was possible that Dien'tero knew something or someone to cause a warning.
"SECURITY LEVEL 1 WARNING CLEAR. YOU MAY RESUME YOUR ACTIVITIES."
The Hologram showed Dien'Tero already descending to the subway platform. This was bad, but Wildden had experience.
"Request a 15 second delay on all trains, Central Southwest Main Station," he spoke to his computer.
The request was encoded and sent on the rapid response loop to Computer division's central command.
He didn't know whether he would get it, but he ran towards the subway stairwell.
The little dimple button on the right side of his belt activated the Safeguard warning system.
"SAFEGUARD COLLECTION IN PURSUIT. SUPERIOR OFFICIAL IN PURSUIT OF SUSPECT."
Only a few were entering the Subway at this point, most people were arriving here in this business district. Those few who were stepped to the side as Wildden bounded down the steps, his training making what would seem reckless, routine.
"REQUEST GRANTED," returned Computer Command.
15 seconds was all he was allowed to request. The hologram still pointed him to the platform, as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he identified Dien'tero two platforms down.
The train was rolling in, and would be there within a few seconds. Unfortunately for Dien'tero, there was no crowd waiting with him. It was easy to lock on to just the Collectee with his desistor.
He pressed the trigger, and Dien'tero toppled over. He disabled the Safeguard warning system.
"Nothing to be concerned about here. We will be gone within a moment."
He walked over to the platform where Dien'tero was collapsed and unconscious.
"Notify the transport team. Send HQ confirmation," he told the computer.
The desistor was ultimately an electronic tool, overriding the target's security rights and privileges, causing a temporary unconsciousness and preventing movement.
People were broadly aware and afraid of the desistor, so a voluntary collection was far more frequent. Dien'tero's evaluation would be lower because he didn't take a voluntary collection. If he interfered with Computer division operations to cause the Security Warning he would likely tack on a S class offense.
A Vice Executive like Dien'Tero would usually end up with a few choices after serious crime. Go through an evaluation program to return to the business order at a lower rank, or start over in the Monastic order as a Trainee, or leave the City entirely.
The City divided and separated authority. Wildden could apprehend the suspect, but Public Order's transport team would take him to Legal.The Transport team could transport him, but only Legal's Advocate and Governance's Sentencing Subdivision could determine sentencing and offer choices.
Wildden travelled with the Public Order team as they carried Dien'Tero onto the Public Order special train car, which attached to the arriving train, and was loaded first, before the rest of the travelers could get off.
Quickly, the Public Order Transport team carried Dien'Tero onto the train car, and Wildden followed him. He would stay beside Dien'Tero throughout transport and sentencing, as an immediate presence in case of any attempted escape. Few tried such things these days, however. It was largely a formality for Wildden to follow his Collectee, but he had an interest in how the other parts of the Enforcement system worked, so it didn't bother him.
The special car detached from the main train as they reached the Southwest district station. It followed another train that traveled between Southwest and City Center, and Wildden and the Public Order team unloaded Dien'Tero from the special car after the rest of the passengers debarked from the other cars.
It was two blocks at street level, so the now conscious Collectee was escorted swiftly to the central Legal division complex.
They entered the complex and headed left at the signpost with directions to different parts of the facility.
There were two dozen sentencing rooms, and that was for the entire City. Only half of those were occupied as they entered.
The Legal official recorded their information as Safeguard and Public Order representatives. She noted Dien'Tero and the charges against him and directed them to room 7.
The public order officials took his collectee to the room, and Wildden followed behind. Dien'tero was seated and secured, and Public Order left, but Wildden stood still behind the chair.
An Associate Examiner of Legal division (Sentencing Subdivision) entered the room, followed by a Governance division (Sentencing Subdivision) Full Examiner.
"Pardon the delay, I was involved with another case," said the governance minister. Examiner order ranks and levels were more involved than in the other two orders, so it was tough for Wildden to draw a parallel between his level and these ministers. Except they were nonetheless far above him in practical authority and esteem.
Dien'Tero was facing the Governance minister, who sat down at the far end of the conference table, while the Legal division associate sat at one of the chairs on the side of the table and closer to Dien'Tero.
Legal spoke first, looking to the Governance associate. "Am I correct summarizing that these charges are 2 Class A offenses, a Class C offense, 1 Class D offense, Honored Examiner?"
"Legal Associate, you are correct in confirming that those were the original offenses analyzed in Computer Division document 6a-7d19. However, during the Collection attempt, additional offenses were analyzed. The Computer division Addendum - Pursuant Offenses document should be arriving in your inbox now."
"I will refer briefly to such document then," the Legal associate asked.
"Granted."
The associate pulled a tablet out of his briefcase and placed it on the table.
Wildden let his vision blur as he avoided focusing on the associate or anyone else. Dien'tero would find it impossible to escape now, but he kept the sentencee in mind.
After five minutes, the Legal associate put away the tablet and returned to the order of business.
"Permission to proceed?" they asked the Governance minister.
"Granted."
"Vice Executive Dien'Tero," the associate addressed Dien'Tero.
"Yes sir," he said to the associate.
"You are charged the following Offense codes: S-CC1 Serious Computer Crime, A-ED7 Suborning of Educational Integrity, B-SG1 Resisting collection by an Authorized Safeguard official. C-FC Financial Crimes against Computer division minister, D-FC Frivilous over-use of Computer Resources. I am your legal representative, pursuing the best course of action for you, in consideration of the offenses which have been analyzed and found overwhelmingly probable."
"Thank you sir," Dien'Tero said. There was little fight left in him.
"Can you describe your encounter with Superior Safeguard Wildden, including what followed subsequently?"
"I spotted him standing in the corner. He stood out among all of the Medical Business officials. After having some other conversations, I noticed that he was moving away from the corner, and I thought he must be after me. I carefully made my way out of the crowd, giving an excuse, and left the building.
I knew a few people in Computer division, I'm sure you know I was in the training program before being reassigned to Medical. I contacted a junior examiner I had known before who said they would flag the building computer system. Some kind of corruption causing a temporary security warning. They didn't know how long it would last. It. It was a favor, they owed me, and now I was in their debt.
The Train was late, and then I was desisted. The end."
The Governance Minister spoke up, "The matter with the Computer examiner will be dealt with separately. Are there any more preparatory questions, Legal Associate?"
"Honored Minister, we don't have any questions or objections."
"Thank you, Legal Associate. Now, beginning with this Sentencing Presentment, Governance will start with the lesser Offenses and proceed to the more Serious offenses. Due to the Composite of all Offenses duly charged at this time, Governance is prepared to drop Class D and Class C offenses, however, we will fully charge Class B, Class A and Class S offenses.
"On the charge of Resisting Collection, you will be placed in a monitoring program with an automated desister implant. On the charge of Suborning of Educational Integrity. An order of protection will be granted preventing you from approaching Second Form student Elia'Mina. Elia'Mina has already been provided with alternative residency in anticipation of your Collection. You are formally stripped from the Business Order and Medical Division within it, pending Trainee assignment to the Monastic Order. All privileges and expectations pursuant to the rank of Vice Executive - Oncology, have been removed. New attire will be provided as appropriate for Post-Sentencing and Pre-Training. Subsequent behavioral infractions will be doubled in their effect on your Monastic evaluation. Subsequent sentencing will result in an automatic expulsion from the City.
"On the charge of Serious Computer Crime. Your violation of the trust of our Computing system in the pursuit of Resisting Collection is a Severe offense. Governance has declared that it is willing to put repentance to the test and allow Senior officials of the Examiner and Business orders to show their contrition and obedience in Monastic training. Basic Monastic Training will test your humility and integrity and ability to relocate your identity in a lowly station. You will be classified as Security-Exempt, and not allowed to enter that division, but all other divisions are open to you if you pass your training.
"Because of the accumulation of offenses, the doubled penalty for behavioral infractions will instead be quadrupled.
Your first Option, is to accept these burdens and begin again as a Monastic Trainee (Class L). You will progress to being a normal Monastic Trainee and then advance further if you show humility, respect for Governance and Superior Officers and work with Excellence and Dedication.
Your second Option, is to be escorted outside of the City, never to return. You will be Expelled and Expunged from our records.
Legal Associate, please advise the Sentencee of his choices."
This was the part, that 95% of the time was predictable. Some people were Citizens, and some people were Opportunists. Wildden predicted Dien'Tero would choose exile before humilitation and humility.
He did.
It was the Wildguard who would take the Exilee out of the City, so Wildden could finally say his goodbyes to the Legal Associate and Governance and make his way back to the Chapter house.
Most of the time when he went out, it was with another Safeguard. But this one was important to Governance, that they wanted to keep things small and quiet.
~ o ~ o ~ # ~ o ~ o~
Joleen Chief Executive Psychiatry
[Psychiatry :- Chief Executive - Vice Executive - Supervisor - Employee - Intern]
{Medical :- General - Orthopedic - Dental - ... {disciplines omitted} ... - Psychiatry }
{Business :- Infrastructure - Medical - Financial - Hospitality - Goods - Grocery }
{City :- Examiner - Business - Monastic}
Samae was hungry. She had been studying and working on problem sets at School all day. It was sixthday. Joleen wished her daughter didn't have to spend so much time, even on seventhday, studying and doing practice exams. But it was necessary if she was going to rise higher than Joleen, and make an Examiner of herself.
Joleen considered the Safeguard she had seen that morning. Though he was part of the lowest order he seemed content, even happy about his career. She doubted he'd been involved in any sort of behavioral infractions.
Samae had a few trifling notes in her behavioral file. Mostly her interrupting other students accidentally, because she wanted to contribute. They were only a 2 point malus in aggregate, which was considered quite good for the daughter of a Business order executive. She wanted to be offended, but she worked with business executives, and managed them. She knew that they had occasional lapses.
The Security Warning on the building had been weird, but she assumed it was something to do with Wildden's task.
Oncology sub-division Vice Executive Dien'Tero has been expelled from the city after collection and sentencing today.
She wasn't there when the collection happened, being on the third floor in a mostly pointless meeting.There were points to discuss, but points that all of the Chief Executives already agreed with.
Tommorrow she would reinforce these points with the Vice Executives at Central Mental Health Hospital.
Expulsion was something she thought a lot about. The Mentally Ill, would they ever get better. Would it be better to expel them, or to continue consuming a bed. How can they do more on an outpatient basis. It was a bit disturbing.
The Doctor division Examiners who her subordinates worked with almost always chose expulsion. The Mental Hospital was not designed to support long term care.
The City was an aspirational, an uplifting place. Not a place that accepted everyone, but a place that filtered out only the suitably stable and proficient. You had to at least pass the monastic tests and become an Inferior.
But she now suspected the Monastic exams wasn't any easier than the Business exams, just testing different things.
Examiners, and students still on that highest track like Samae, were subjected to intense intellectual and behavioral standards. In First Form, half of the students were sent straight to the monastery. Only a quarter continued on, and a quarter went to Business school.
Samae was bright and lucky to be close to making Third Form.
But there were 14 Form ranks, and then you were assigned, or if you were extremely lucky, got to choose a division. Governance, Education and Computing were the most exclusive and difficult divisions to get into, they ran the city, essentially. The GEC council of Division Examiners was the highest authority.
After reaching Examinee I in a division, you still had to advanced through five Examinee ranks, where you began to apply your knowledge to real situations in a double checked and supervised way, and then finally you became an Intern Examiner.
So many intern examiners showed up in her hospital. They had freedom in daily life that they had lacked before and they didn't know how to handle it.
The possibility of Marriage and children and a new social life, plus insane expectations at work meant they faced a crucible of pressures.
Joleen was still statistically unlikely to make it that far but they could hope. She needed to make Intern Examiner by 30 or she would be sent to start over in Business school.
For her own order, after they passed through the 8 trainee ranks, students only had to go through Intern and Junior positions before they had a full position and freedom to socialize and fraternize.
The monastic order was different. Even this Wildden had probably never been to a real party other than strictly controlled Security division socials. Only Great Superiors running whole subdivisions would be invited to the kind of gatherings her subordinates would be invited to.
It was curiosity which lead her to send a short message to the Safeguard Superior.
Her own position placed her at the bottom tier of business Chief Executives. Her boss, the head of Medical division Business order (Med Bus), was an active and well regarded member of the scene. The size of Med Bus gave the Division Chief a lot of credibility and appreciation from even the examiners.
Joleen was just one amongst the crowd of Chief executives, invited to some parties, but not others, able to split the difference between the lives of those like her boss, and those like her subordinates.
Vice Executives were still part of the body of Business order membership, while Division Chiefs had a half step into the places higher still, speaking with the GEC council on occasion. The head of the entire Business order of course was frequently meeting with them.
It would be a mini scandal, but Joleen was amused by the idea of inviting Willden to a social event.
She sent the chat message.
Joleen here,
I imagine you are there, back in the Chapter House,
perhaps dealing with the endless work of managing subordinates, like I am
perhaps reading through more documents
perhaps using jargon specific to your position.
I just thought
That I would check in.
It might be odd,
But I would like to ask you a few questions
Curiosity beckons
Carisca Crema, tommorrow, 6 pm sharp.
Let me know.
She didn't need to mention her name, as it would display that first, but it was part of her personal style.
She reviewed her schedule for tomorrow. Review of computer evaluations. Lunch with the Supervising Examiner of the Doctors Division, Psychiatric Subdivision. Her counterpart, leading the Psychiatrists as she lead the assistants and Practitioners.
A surprising amount could be done by a Senior Practitioner, without needing to schedule a doctor's consult. She had 7 Vice Executives with their own Lead Medical Role, under the authority (but not supervision) of a Senior Psychiatric Doctor.
Most of those under her leadership were in an Assistant Medical Role. But they did a lot of the work.
Weighted Diamond 1
- Location
- Michigan
The name of the story is random but it's a 4 part poetic, eerie, handmaid tale-esque, vaguely post-apocalyptic tale told from a child's perspective.
I wanted to write more parts but I got stuck after 4.
A new day unfolds like a letter from the envelope,
Nana day, Its your day, a day unlike any other,
The letter opens with a wax seal, it's from your Family,
Nana day, Its your duty today, today you go off and away,
A new day unfolds like the new coat around your waist,
You take the purple today, Oh hay nana purple today,
The coat fits heavy, the child's crown bearing you down,
Nana day, Its today you wear a new gown off and away.
``````
You take the hansom today. There's too many kids at the Children's Center for hansom rides, but there you are in your new white coat with purple trim. Your hair is short, but not boy short, and pale blue with swirls of shifting light blue coloration.
You're just a little taller than the average kid at the Children's Center. You wonder if there will be any kids at the new house.
You see a man in a top hat remove the hat and bow at the hansom as you pass him by. Adults seem to be waving, not shaking their heads.
You can barely say the name of your town: Ellsworth. It's hard to say but trying to practice over and over made your whole class start giggling. But you didn't hesitate, and once you figured it out, you pronounced it loudest of all the class, and correctly. A lot of kids were just mumbling. You helped one of the mumblers who couldn't get it though.
You have heard teachers tell you, "You are too loud!" many times. You're just trying to let them know you know the answer.
You were focused on the people and everything around you, but then, suddenly, the flowers. You saw pansies and lilacs and petunias and lavender. The smell of flowers was stronger than the smell of smelly horses.
The clop clop of horse beats stopped in front of the house surrounded by purple flowers. The driver opens the door for you. One of the horses whinnies.
"Go right on in, dearie," said the old driver, and he tips his cap, turning back to the hansom.
You hesitate for a moment at the lavender, trying to enjoy the smell, but its all a mixed up flowery smell.
You decide to confidently knock on the door, feeling the soft wood-grained texture of it.
*knock* *knock* *KNOCK*
You were about to knock again when you heard, "I'll be there in a moment sweetie."
The woman who opens the door has the same color hair as you do, with splotches of white. Her hair is braided, but you can't tell what kind of neat braid she's done it in. She's face to face with you after all.
She's holding a jagged knife as she opens the door.
"Oh dear, it's .. kinda my letter opener, sweetie," she says.
She doesn't ask your name but just gestures for you to come in. You firmly close the door. It definitely shuts, but makes the house rattle slightly.
"This is our den," she said. There were hallways that lead to other hallways. You caught a glimpse of them before being lead into the den.
There were three chairs in the den. One was a rocker with a wicker basket next to it containing paper and what seemed to be a big stack of letters. Another was straight backed, but cushioned, and the third reclined. They were tan colors.
There were no play things or anything for you to do with yourself, so you sat down and asked questions.
After being asked the first question, she said, "This last one is from Aunt Sadie in Outer Kingston. She says she hasn't written in a while, but she wanted to urge Daniel and I to be God parents whenever possible. We already agreed when we decided to take you in."
She went back to writing a response to Aunt Sadie. When you asked about Daniel, her husband, she said, "Call him Lord-Regent of the Flowers. He should be home soon."
The last question got a quick answer, "Look, Listen, Learn."
She finished writing the letter, folded it up (not in a simple three parter, but in beautiful triangle folds, that seemed like a lot of work), and stacked it with the pile you hadn't noticed before, on top of the mantle.
There was no fire going in the room, but the fireplace had a nice mantle, and the lady of the house stacked completed letters in some kind of weird stacking system. There were dozens of completed letters!
You felt a desire to ask about the letters and why there were so many, but something stopped you cold, instead you "Looked, Listened, Learned."
Your God-mother wrote small letters, delicately, yet with some speed. Using one petite A5 page, the top inch taken up by a monagram, she wrote three paragraphs, leaving plenty of margin on all four sides of the page.
Miesha, Lady of Letters, was the monogram on each letter.
Her cursive Y looped way down into the next line, and her I dots were filled in. While her letters had extra flair compared to what you had learned, they all stayed joined together and on the same line.
You also noticed the way she read letters. Each time, she would pick up an envelope in her right hand, the knife in her left, and somehow slice open the beautiful envelope without tearing it on the jagged edges of the dagger.
She would put her eye-glasses on, then fold each page when done with it and place it on her lap, but you noticed Miesha refused to read beyond the second page. Most of the letters were two pages long, but you had watched long enough to notice twice that she stopped reaching long letters after the second page.
After reading each letter (or what she choose to read out of it), she would smoothly toss the letter into the inert fireplace, but the letter didn't flap in the wind like you thought it would.
After reading a letter and throwing it away, she already knew who wrote it and neatly addressed the envelope, both from and to. She never had to pick up a letter from the fireplace to remember.
After the envelope she would write the letter, and stack it like previously mentioned.
It was four hours of watching the woman go through letters that taught you this.
She had finished the letters in her wicker basket, and motioned you to follow as she went into a small bedroom which had been turned into an office. Actually, it was a series of file cabinets.
One side of the bedroom had a basket on top of the middle of three oak file cabinets. Above the basket a monogram displayed: "Lord-Regent".
There were four more file cabinets, these unfinished wood, and each had a basket on top of them which was empty.
Seeing that all four baskets were empty, Miesha pulled open the cabinet drawers. She took a decimeter sized stack of papers from the front of the bottom drawer of the first cabinet, placing the stack in the basket above her. In this same way, she filled all four baskets from the four cabinets.
That was a lot of letters, you pondered the possibility of even getting through all of those.
It wasn't finishing the newly full wicker basket of letters that ended Miesha's day. When the Lord-Regent arrived outside the door, she asked you to do something.
"Take that basket and put it next to my letter cabinets."
You didn't have much trouble lifting the basket, it was a little heavy for you, but the jostling envelopes didn't fall out of the basket.
When you got back to the den, the stacks of letters on the fireplace mantle were gone.
"So this is our God-daughter," said Lord-Regent of the Flowers.
He smelled of the flowers he must of been busy with.
"I need to get cleaned up. Bellflower, get cleaned up for dinner."
At first you thought he was talking to Miesha, but you started moving towards your room anyway.
Between hand gestures in the vague direction from Miesha, and a lucky guess, you figured it out.
Your bedroom was the last one down a hallway with other doors that you didn't even consider opening. Lord-Regent had gone past the intersection of hallways straight through, instead of turning left.
From the front, the house had looked big, but now it looked bigger than the Children's Center. Your bedroom also had a full bathroom. Your own bathroom. You had no context to understand that.
The bathroom lights flickered on, showing the large glass mirror with a trim decorated in silver tracing
No one drew up a bath for you, so you figured the Lord-Regent expected you to act like a big kid and take a shower on your own.
A new blouse and skirt were neatly folded on the bathroom countertop.
You were tempted to splash and be silly in the water, to take a long shower, but somehow the desire wasn't there, so after a short time under the hot water you dried off and got dressed.
The blouse was soft against your skin, it's color pink. The skirt was white with purple horizontal stripes.
You brushed your hair all alone, with the new hair brush. It was short enough to not worry about any more. You wondered if you would ever have long hair like the women you'd seen in town. Whether braided or loose, it seemed exciting.
You'd brushed your teeth that morning, but decided, hey might as well make a good impression for your God parents.
Finally you make your way back out of your room cleaned up and refreshed.
The den connects to the hallway which turns shifty ways leading the hallway that goes to your bedroom and other hallways that you don't want to explore, oddly enough. Across from the den is the dining room, which is connected to the kitchen.
Lord Regent and Lady of Letters were already sitting at the dining table when you got there. The dining table was rectangular, and could surely support 8 to 10 people. When you reached to pull out a chair next to Lady Miesha, the Lord Regent directed you to the far end of the table.
You sang the song of dinner-time, as you had since you were old enough to talk.
`````
As we sit down to eat,
We never forget to say,
Honored Protectors,
We are thankful.
[Man of the House]
I lay my sword astride this table,
Heavy I pick it up, I never hesitate,
Defend this night-sup I must,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
[Woman of the House]
I lay my dagger astride this table,
I walk in unison with my husband,
Defend this night-sup I must,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
[Others]
I lay my life astride this table,
I do anything I am told to,
Fight in the last I must,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
[All]
Thankful we are as we toast,
Let this food strengthen the house,
Let it make firmness in our bones,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
`````
You felt the weirdness of singing the other part all by yourself. You had never heard yourself sing alone like that.
You hesitated and didn't try to grab some of the chicken breast and potato yet. Instead you waited, with your hands holding the napkin on your lap.
Lord Regent took a portion for himself, passing his plate to Lady Miesha, who gave him some of the roasted potato wedges.
"The new greenhouse is finally doing well," he said as Lady Miesha filled her plate.
You passed your plate down to Lady Miesha after she had filled hers.
"Aunt Sadie wrote. A farmhold near them was overrun. Now they are worried. She's been training to use a crossbow, of all things."
Your plate had a small piece of a chicken, and a little bit of potatoes, but you didn't mind, it looked delicious.
You neatly cut your chicken into pieces while the two of them are talking.
"I can't get away from thinking she needs more flower beds. I guess I'm carrying the job home, hun," Lord Regent said.
"She's put a few around the back yard, but she doesn't look the smell. I think she's allergic," Lady Miesha answered.
"Unfortunate. Bellflower, did you hear the soda jerk is visiting our lovely little town. I bet you'd like to try a root beer float?"
You finished swallowing the hot potato you were eating and thought of the right way to answer.
"I'd really like that. Can we go, sir?"
"I'll swing by late morning, and take you. As long as you think that's a good idea, hun?"
Lady Miesha smiled, "She's just doing some light duty tomorrow, that would be fine."
You wondered what you'd be doing tomorrow other than carrying the wicker basket or getting letters for the Lady.
"What's your favorite kind of flower, sir?" you asked, with some trepidation.
"Poppies do the most to protect against night-stalkers. I love the look of Cherry Blossom, but we can hardly get any good seeds,"
"My favorite flower to smell is lavender," the lady said. "We've got the safest house in town thanks to you, Sweet-rose."
"I get complements all the time on your thoughtfulness, hun. Why, Sheriff Cal said he needed to send something to his mother in Leadsville, and his mother was so thrilled to hear from you."
"He's a good man," she said.
The talk was at turns sweet, business-like and informative. You tried to understand your new god-parents as you finished your plate. They didn't ask any questions of you, and you waited politely as the conversation continued well after dinner was done.
This is one of the things you were taught about living in a house with a family. You did not leave the dinner table until the Man of the house got up, and most families considered dinner time their chance to have daily conversation.
So it was a good hour before Lord Regent of the Flowers got up, and your God-Mother asked you to wash the dishes while they turned on the radio in the den.
The meal wasn't that messy, so you just brushed off any stray meat or potato bits into the bin, and then filled the sink a quarter-full, applying just a dash of dish soap to the mix.
You cleaned off the base layer of gunk after letting the dishes soak for a minute, and then scrubbed the plates, forks, knives and glasses thoroughly, draining the water. You dried each piece until every bit of moisture was gone, and then tried three different cupboards before you found one for plates, glasses and utensils.
There were eight sets of dinner-ware, enough to have some people over for the night. Finally, after you did your best job with the dishes, you went to the den.
"... national unrest remains high. Home Law remains in effect. All surrogates must be tested weekly. All non-surrogates must undergo--"
"Time for bed, sweetie," Lady Miesha said, intercepting you before you actually got there. "Lord Regent's listening to his radio programme."
You turned back, heading towards the wing of the house that had your bed. You heard the radio program turning back on, but you didn't understand the words as you walked away.
You knew it must be important stuff, not something for a child of the house to hear. You couldn't completely resist the pull of the radio.
Your house clothes had been nice and comfy, but the bed clothes you put on now were very soft and fluffy. The bed shirt had drawings of petunias and lilies on it.
You'd only looked at your bathroom closely before, so now you took in the bedroom proper. The desk was small, but it had a smooth wood finish, and a small three legged stool.
The surprising thing was the small lacquered black case on the desk. It was long and skinny, and opened up by a set of hinges.
What was inside the box could be either a letter opener, or a dagger, or both, you supposed. You carefully closed the lid and got under the covers, sheet, blanket and comforter all.
I wanted to write more parts but I got stuck after 4.
A new day unfolds like a letter from the envelope,
Nana day, Its your day, a day unlike any other,
The letter opens with a wax seal, it's from your Family,
Nana day, Its your duty today, today you go off and away,
A new day unfolds like the new coat around your waist,
You take the purple today, Oh hay nana purple today,
The coat fits heavy, the child's crown bearing you down,
Nana day, Its today you wear a new gown off and away.
``````
You take the hansom today. There's too many kids at the Children's Center for hansom rides, but there you are in your new white coat with purple trim. Your hair is short, but not boy short, and pale blue with swirls of shifting light blue coloration.
You're just a little taller than the average kid at the Children's Center. You wonder if there will be any kids at the new house.
You see a man in a top hat remove the hat and bow at the hansom as you pass him by. Adults seem to be waving, not shaking their heads.
You can barely say the name of your town: Ellsworth. It's hard to say but trying to practice over and over made your whole class start giggling. But you didn't hesitate, and once you figured it out, you pronounced it loudest of all the class, and correctly. A lot of kids were just mumbling. You helped one of the mumblers who couldn't get it though.
You have heard teachers tell you, "You are too loud!" many times. You're just trying to let them know you know the answer.
You were focused on the people and everything around you, but then, suddenly, the flowers. You saw pansies and lilacs and petunias and lavender. The smell of flowers was stronger than the smell of smelly horses.
The clop clop of horse beats stopped in front of the house surrounded by purple flowers. The driver opens the door for you. One of the horses whinnies.
"Go right on in, dearie," said the old driver, and he tips his cap, turning back to the hansom.
You hesitate for a moment at the lavender, trying to enjoy the smell, but its all a mixed up flowery smell.
You decide to confidently knock on the door, feeling the soft wood-grained texture of it.
*knock* *knock* *KNOCK*
You were about to knock again when you heard, "I'll be there in a moment sweetie."
The woman who opens the door has the same color hair as you do, with splotches of white. Her hair is braided, but you can't tell what kind of neat braid she's done it in. She's face to face with you after all.
She's holding a jagged knife as she opens the door.
"Oh dear, it's .. kinda my letter opener, sweetie," she says.
She doesn't ask your name but just gestures for you to come in. You firmly close the door. It definitely shuts, but makes the house rattle slightly.
"This is our den," she said. There were hallways that lead to other hallways. You caught a glimpse of them before being lead into the den.
There were three chairs in the den. One was a rocker with a wicker basket next to it containing paper and what seemed to be a big stack of letters. Another was straight backed, but cushioned, and the third reclined. They were tan colors.
There were no play things or anything for you to do with yourself, so you sat down and asked questions.
After being asked the first question, she said, "This last one is from Aunt Sadie in Outer Kingston. She says she hasn't written in a while, but she wanted to urge Daniel and I to be God parents whenever possible. We already agreed when we decided to take you in."
She went back to writing a response to Aunt Sadie. When you asked about Daniel, her husband, she said, "Call him Lord-Regent of the Flowers. He should be home soon."
The last question got a quick answer, "Look, Listen, Learn."
She finished writing the letter, folded it up (not in a simple three parter, but in beautiful triangle folds, that seemed like a lot of work), and stacked it with the pile you hadn't noticed before, on top of the mantle.
There was no fire going in the room, but the fireplace had a nice mantle, and the lady of the house stacked completed letters in some kind of weird stacking system. There were dozens of completed letters!
You felt a desire to ask about the letters and why there were so many, but something stopped you cold, instead you "Looked, Listened, Learned."
Your God-mother wrote small letters, delicately, yet with some speed. Using one petite A5 page, the top inch taken up by a monagram, she wrote three paragraphs, leaving plenty of margin on all four sides of the page.
Miesha, Lady of Letters, was the monogram on each letter.
Her cursive Y looped way down into the next line, and her I dots were filled in. While her letters had extra flair compared to what you had learned, they all stayed joined together and on the same line.
You also noticed the way she read letters. Each time, she would pick up an envelope in her right hand, the knife in her left, and somehow slice open the beautiful envelope without tearing it on the jagged edges of the dagger.
She would put her eye-glasses on, then fold each page when done with it and place it on her lap, but you noticed Miesha refused to read beyond the second page. Most of the letters were two pages long, but you had watched long enough to notice twice that she stopped reaching long letters after the second page.
After reading each letter (or what she choose to read out of it), she would smoothly toss the letter into the inert fireplace, but the letter didn't flap in the wind like you thought it would.
After reading a letter and throwing it away, she already knew who wrote it and neatly addressed the envelope, both from and to. She never had to pick up a letter from the fireplace to remember.
After the envelope she would write the letter, and stack it like previously mentioned.
It was four hours of watching the woman go through letters that taught you this.
She had finished the letters in her wicker basket, and motioned you to follow as she went into a small bedroom which had been turned into an office. Actually, it was a series of file cabinets.
One side of the bedroom had a basket on top of the middle of three oak file cabinets. Above the basket a monogram displayed: "Lord-Regent".
There were four more file cabinets, these unfinished wood, and each had a basket on top of them which was empty.
Seeing that all four baskets were empty, Miesha pulled open the cabinet drawers. She took a decimeter sized stack of papers from the front of the bottom drawer of the first cabinet, placing the stack in the basket above her. In this same way, she filled all four baskets from the four cabinets.
That was a lot of letters, you pondered the possibility of even getting through all of those.
It wasn't finishing the newly full wicker basket of letters that ended Miesha's day. When the Lord-Regent arrived outside the door, she asked you to do something.
"Take that basket and put it next to my letter cabinets."
You didn't have much trouble lifting the basket, it was a little heavy for you, but the jostling envelopes didn't fall out of the basket.
When you got back to the den, the stacks of letters on the fireplace mantle were gone.
"So this is our God-daughter," said Lord-Regent of the Flowers.
He smelled of the flowers he must of been busy with.
"I need to get cleaned up. Bellflower, get cleaned up for dinner."
At first you thought he was talking to Miesha, but you started moving towards your room anyway.
Between hand gestures in the vague direction from Miesha, and a lucky guess, you figured it out.
Your bedroom was the last one down a hallway with other doors that you didn't even consider opening. Lord-Regent had gone past the intersection of hallways straight through, instead of turning left.
From the front, the house had looked big, but now it looked bigger than the Children's Center. Your bedroom also had a full bathroom. Your own bathroom. You had no context to understand that.
The bathroom lights flickered on, showing the large glass mirror with a trim decorated in silver tracing
No one drew up a bath for you, so you figured the Lord-Regent expected you to act like a big kid and take a shower on your own.
A new blouse and skirt were neatly folded on the bathroom countertop.
You were tempted to splash and be silly in the water, to take a long shower, but somehow the desire wasn't there, so after a short time under the hot water you dried off and got dressed.
The blouse was soft against your skin, it's color pink. The skirt was white with purple horizontal stripes.
You brushed your hair all alone, with the new hair brush. It was short enough to not worry about any more. You wondered if you would ever have long hair like the women you'd seen in town. Whether braided or loose, it seemed exciting.
You'd brushed your teeth that morning, but decided, hey might as well make a good impression for your God parents.
Finally you make your way back out of your room cleaned up and refreshed.
The den connects to the hallway which turns shifty ways leading the hallway that goes to your bedroom and other hallways that you don't want to explore, oddly enough. Across from the den is the dining room, which is connected to the kitchen.
Lord Regent and Lady of Letters were already sitting at the dining table when you got there. The dining table was rectangular, and could surely support 8 to 10 people. When you reached to pull out a chair next to Lady Miesha, the Lord Regent directed you to the far end of the table.
You sang the song of dinner-time, as you had since you were old enough to talk.
`````
As we sit down to eat,
We never forget to say,
Honored Protectors,
We are thankful.
[Man of the House]
I lay my sword astride this table,
Heavy I pick it up, I never hesitate,
Defend this night-sup I must,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
[Woman of the House]
I lay my dagger astride this table,
I walk in unison with my husband,
Defend this night-sup I must,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
[Others]
I lay my life astride this table,
I do anything I am told to,
Fight in the last I must,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
[All]
Thankful we are as we toast,
Let this food strengthen the house,
Let it make firmness in our bones,
Lest overrun we fall on our cups,
`````
You felt the weirdness of singing the other part all by yourself. You had never heard yourself sing alone like that.
You hesitated and didn't try to grab some of the chicken breast and potato yet. Instead you waited, with your hands holding the napkin on your lap.
Lord Regent took a portion for himself, passing his plate to Lady Miesha, who gave him some of the roasted potato wedges.
"The new greenhouse is finally doing well," he said as Lady Miesha filled her plate.
You passed your plate down to Lady Miesha after she had filled hers.
"Aunt Sadie wrote. A farmhold near them was overrun. Now they are worried. She's been training to use a crossbow, of all things."
Your plate had a small piece of a chicken, and a little bit of potatoes, but you didn't mind, it looked delicious.
You neatly cut your chicken into pieces while the two of them are talking.
"I can't get away from thinking she needs more flower beds. I guess I'm carrying the job home, hun," Lord Regent said.
"She's put a few around the back yard, but she doesn't look the smell. I think she's allergic," Lady Miesha answered.
"Unfortunate. Bellflower, did you hear the soda jerk is visiting our lovely little town. I bet you'd like to try a root beer float?"
You finished swallowing the hot potato you were eating and thought of the right way to answer.
"I'd really like that. Can we go, sir?"
"I'll swing by late morning, and take you. As long as you think that's a good idea, hun?"
Lady Miesha smiled, "She's just doing some light duty tomorrow, that would be fine."
You wondered what you'd be doing tomorrow other than carrying the wicker basket or getting letters for the Lady.
"What's your favorite kind of flower, sir?" you asked, with some trepidation.
"Poppies do the most to protect against night-stalkers. I love the look of Cherry Blossom, but we can hardly get any good seeds,"
"My favorite flower to smell is lavender," the lady said. "We've got the safest house in town thanks to you, Sweet-rose."
"I get complements all the time on your thoughtfulness, hun. Why, Sheriff Cal said he needed to send something to his mother in Leadsville, and his mother was so thrilled to hear from you."
"He's a good man," she said.
The talk was at turns sweet, business-like and informative. You tried to understand your new god-parents as you finished your plate. They didn't ask any questions of you, and you waited politely as the conversation continued well after dinner was done.
This is one of the things you were taught about living in a house with a family. You did not leave the dinner table until the Man of the house got up, and most families considered dinner time their chance to have daily conversation.
So it was a good hour before Lord Regent of the Flowers got up, and your God-Mother asked you to wash the dishes while they turned on the radio in the den.
The meal wasn't that messy, so you just brushed off any stray meat or potato bits into the bin, and then filled the sink a quarter-full, applying just a dash of dish soap to the mix.
You cleaned off the base layer of gunk after letting the dishes soak for a minute, and then scrubbed the plates, forks, knives and glasses thoroughly, draining the water. You dried each piece until every bit of moisture was gone, and then tried three different cupboards before you found one for plates, glasses and utensils.
There were eight sets of dinner-ware, enough to have some people over for the night. Finally, after you did your best job with the dishes, you went to the den.
"... national unrest remains high. Home Law remains in effect. All surrogates must be tested weekly. All non-surrogates must undergo--"
"Time for bed, sweetie," Lady Miesha said, intercepting you before you actually got there. "Lord Regent's listening to his radio programme."
You turned back, heading towards the wing of the house that had your bed. You heard the radio program turning back on, but you didn't understand the words as you walked away.
You knew it must be important stuff, not something for a child of the house to hear. You couldn't completely resist the pull of the radio.
Your house clothes had been nice and comfy, but the bed clothes you put on now were very soft and fluffy. The bed shirt had drawings of petunias and lilies on it.
You'd only looked at your bathroom closely before, so now you took in the bedroom proper. The desk was small, but it had a smooth wood finish, and a small three legged stool.
The surprising thing was the small lacquered black case on the desk. It was long and skinny, and opened up by a set of hinges.
What was inside the box could be either a letter opener, or a dagger, or both, you supposed. You carefully closed the lid and got under the covers, sheet, blanket and comforter all.
Weighted Diamond 2
- Location
- Michigan
`````
Morning is happy to see you,
So be happy to see the day,
Wipe the night from your eyes,
Let your voice echo in the day,
The birds are happy to hear you,
So be chirping right along,
Put away the clothes of night,
Put on the new day bright-ly,
Oats in the pot and man the door,
The kettle whistles watch the sky,
Break the egg, daddy's on his way,
Make the breakfast and begin your day,
`````
You woke up sometime later, you didn't know when. Peering out of your bedroom, you noticed it was still dark.
"Go back to bed, Bellflower," said the Lord Regent, his voice carrying from the hallway.
"Yes sir," you said, getting back into bed, shifting your position in the big bed until finally you just lay there for a while before drifting back to sleep.
Somehow the sun enters your room despite any windows. It's only a few shafts of light, one across your bed and one on the floor.
You change out of your night clothes and then put on the blouse and skirt from last night. You don't know if you need work clothes for the day or how life is going to go for you.
Lord Regent was gone already, and Lady Miesha was in her den, already in letter mode.
"Breakfast is at the table. Clean up after you're done."
Breakfast was cold, but you had slept in. It was a new concept. At the Children's center you were woken up by the matrons. By the time the staff of the Center were ready for the children it was a bit later in the morning anyway. You had to get used to waking up a bit earlier.
You picked up the Lord and Lady's plates and washed them all up. After that you went into the den.
"Today sweetie, I'm going to show you some simple things that you can help out with. And then we'll work together on something a bit bigger that you can work towards doing."
Lady Miesha was seated in her rocking chair reading another letter.
You sat in the straight backed chair and looked around.
After finishing reading the letter, she looked to you. "You can start by hauling in today's letters. There's a big metal bin full of them outside the door. Bring them over to your chair, and then you can work on them this morning."
You didn't know what to do with them, so you were about to ask.
"I'll tell you what to do once you get them inside," she responded to your unasked question.
The bin was solid iron on the bottom and the lower part of the side, but like a grid of metal bars on top, just wide enough to push another letter in. The top section tilted open as well, but you didn't dare play with the open and closing, while the bin was full.
You could barely push, pull or drag the bin along, fiercely pulling it up the little ledge from the walkway into the house's entryway, and you took a break then for a few seconds before summoning your strength to lift it up and bring it into the Den. You tried to set it down next to your chair gently. It landed with a thud.
You went back to close the front door, because to not do that would be foolish.
Lady Miesha continued with your instruction after that, "Your goal is to get all of the bad letters out of the bin, and all of the good ones back into it, without making a big mess."
"How do I tell what's a good and bad letter?" you asked.
She walked over and took a letter from the bin.
"Bad, horrible spelling," she said throwing one into the fire, and "Bad, the town says Wolfsburg, but the postal stamp says Outer Gall."
A lot of places were bad and not good, you had learned at school. Outer Gall, you didn't remember it exactly, but the tone of Lady Miesha's voice made it sound appalling.
"This one, this one -- it's not a good letter, but it sure looks like it. When you read the actual letter, you find horrible disjointed writing, This was printed, not handwritten. But the Envelope was hand addressed, and the stamp was forged."
"If you aren't sure, throw it in the fire. I'll check a few before we actually light it tonight. Just to make sure you didn't throw anyone important away," she continued.
Without any further guidance, you tried to do this. You decided to pile up the good letters right next to the bin, but you didn't find any good ones for a while.
You could have missed some of the ones involving implausible countries, or postal stamps, you didn't know all of the places these were coming from, but suspiciously, they were written in perfect cursive, except every other word was badly misspelled.
Some of them were not letters at all, but postcards.
You asked the Lady about those, "Toss them," she said. She was the lady of Letters, not postcards or cute pictures with a little writing.
There was one larger envelope, which you were about to open.
"Stop!" Lady Miesha said insistently.
"That shouldn't even be in the bin. Carefully put it the fire."
She strode up to the fireplace after you gently placed it inside.
You couldn't throw a letter with any skill so you had been getting up after each bad letter and standing half the time.
Lady Miesha reviewed your rejections briefly sifting through the fireplace.
"This one," she said, pulling a purple envelope with blue paper out of the mound, "This is legit. Remember, Outer Kingston is still a place, unlike all of the other Outer places. Except Outer Hereford, that's another safe Outer name."
"It had misspellings," you protested, and then stopped.
"These are good person misspellings. You'll learn quickly."
Once she'd gone through the letters in the fireplace, she drew the chain link barrier closed, removing the papers from view. Brushing her fingers against the mantle, you heard the roaring of the fire, and when the lady opened the fireplace up again, only coals were left.
"Guess it wasn't anything harmful," Lady Miesha said. "But one can never know."
You handled the sorting of good and bad letters much more slowly than the Lady, finishing what she did in an hour in four.
"I wanted to get your writing practice started today, but we'll wait on that. Before your God-father gets home, I'd like to make a small step towards finding your specialty. What did you learn about in school that you really liked and wanted to get interested in, in a bigger adult way?"
You thought about it. Everything at school had been little kid stuff. What interesting thing could be of worth for this family.
"I'm not sure," you said, your eyes downcast. You really didn't have any ideas that you didn't reject right away.
"Just a moment sweetie," Lady Miesha said, disappearing into the hallway. You waited, trying to think of something useful. You had learned the basics of writing and the merchants' numbers. Your Safe class had covered the key information about staying safe, and a hint of where men and women could learn to protect their homes from the attackers in the night.
There were a few trifling things you liked from school, but they seemed to not match the serious tone of your God-parents. You doubted learning to read and write poetry and playing the recorder would be thought serious.
But you were wrong, as Lady Miesha came back with a letter written on plain paper.
"I thought I had a letter from the Administrator of your Children Center. Let's see: She spends hours pouring over the poems in our old mythbooks. When no one is looking, she writes little poems of her own. She tried the recorder in Music class, but I didn't sense any great potential in that area."
"I guess I didn't think it was useful or helpful," you offered. "I like poems though."
The Lady looked at you with a peculiar intensity. "My mentor thought that, back in the old days, when the day was no safer than the night. Every person, coiled up in fear in the bounds of their own home. But when my mentor began to write, and brave souls took up the cap of Post-man, the power of the letter to unite us was stronger than anyone dared to think."
"The mythbooks then?" you asked, your thoughts swirling around the hope that the Lady offered.
"Written by those of a generation or two before. The pen and sword together, are mightier than either separate."
"How do I get serious about poetry? I don't want to just continue my childish approach. I know you and Lord-Regent are trying to help me grow up and understand adult things," you asked.
"Sometimes people write poems in their letters. How about you bring out a new stack of writing paper, and I'll give you any of the letters with poems. You can read a poem, and write a poem back. Practice on an extra page of paper until you can make your handwriting neat and appropriate."
Lady Miesha continued to going through more stacks of letters while you waited for one letter with a poem in it. You decided to practice your handwriting, slowly tracing the cursive forms, correcting yourself after your lines dipped into the next line, or rose up into the line before.
You made sure to completely exhaust each page with writing, even filling up the back of the page, before placing it in the fireplace.
Finally, near the end of the day, when the Lord-Regent of Flowers would surely be returning home soon, the Lady gave you a letter with a poem in it. To understand the poem, you read the whole letter.
The letter was almost as interesting as the poem. The poem reminded you of one in the mythbooks called "He Gives and Takes Away".
You assumed your poem would come after the Lady's writing, so you decided to just write the poem without any prose. But what could it be about? The man was like your Lord of Schools, whom you had only met once. You pondered the thought of school, now that you had left it.
You had been writing and pondering the poem for so long that the Lord-Regent was sitting in the den with his lady, and yet they had not interrupted you.
You handed the paper (two pages) to Lady Miesha.
After a long pause (but too quickly to have read it all), she said, "This will be special to the Lord of Schools. Thank you sweetie. Now go ahead and wash up for dinner."
...
The beef stew was pretty good, with carrots and celery, and just a little salt.
"I couldn't take you to the pharmacy today, I got stuck with a new variety of daisy. A blessing really. But I will take you tomorrow. We also need to stop at the Farm store. Tomorrow night is the Vigil, which I'm sure the Childcare center did differently than a home. This is another opportunity for you to learn about being an adult," the Lord-Regent was saying.
"Yes Lord-Regent, I'm excited, even if we can't have ice cream floats," you said, interested in seeing what was at the farm store. Did they have potatoes or those other root vegetables?
Dinner passed and cleanup seemed to go by in a flash. Tomorrow night would be your first time staying up. At the children's center, kids staying up would just cause more problems and work for the caretakers who had to keep the place safe.
Morning is happy to see you,
So be happy to see the day,
Wipe the night from your eyes,
Let your voice echo in the day,
The birds are happy to hear you,
So be chirping right along,
Put away the clothes of night,
Put on the new day bright-ly,
Oats in the pot and man the door,
The kettle whistles watch the sky,
Break the egg, daddy's on his way,
Make the breakfast and begin your day,
`````
You woke up sometime later, you didn't know when. Peering out of your bedroom, you noticed it was still dark.
"Go back to bed, Bellflower," said the Lord Regent, his voice carrying from the hallway.
"Yes sir," you said, getting back into bed, shifting your position in the big bed until finally you just lay there for a while before drifting back to sleep.
Somehow the sun enters your room despite any windows. It's only a few shafts of light, one across your bed and one on the floor.
You change out of your night clothes and then put on the blouse and skirt from last night. You don't know if you need work clothes for the day or how life is going to go for you.
Lord Regent was gone already, and Lady Miesha was in her den, already in letter mode.
"Breakfast is at the table. Clean up after you're done."
Breakfast was cold, but you had slept in. It was a new concept. At the Children's center you were woken up by the matrons. By the time the staff of the Center were ready for the children it was a bit later in the morning anyway. You had to get used to waking up a bit earlier.
You picked up the Lord and Lady's plates and washed them all up. After that you went into the den.
"Today sweetie, I'm going to show you some simple things that you can help out with. And then we'll work together on something a bit bigger that you can work towards doing."
Lady Miesha was seated in her rocking chair reading another letter.
You sat in the straight backed chair and looked around.
After finishing reading the letter, she looked to you. "You can start by hauling in today's letters. There's a big metal bin full of them outside the door. Bring them over to your chair, and then you can work on them this morning."
You didn't know what to do with them, so you were about to ask.
"I'll tell you what to do once you get them inside," she responded to your unasked question.
The bin was solid iron on the bottom and the lower part of the side, but like a grid of metal bars on top, just wide enough to push another letter in. The top section tilted open as well, but you didn't dare play with the open and closing, while the bin was full.
You could barely push, pull or drag the bin along, fiercely pulling it up the little ledge from the walkway into the house's entryway, and you took a break then for a few seconds before summoning your strength to lift it up and bring it into the Den. You tried to set it down next to your chair gently. It landed with a thud.
You went back to close the front door, because to not do that would be foolish.
Lady Miesha continued with your instruction after that, "Your goal is to get all of the bad letters out of the bin, and all of the good ones back into it, without making a big mess."
"How do I tell what's a good and bad letter?" you asked.
She walked over and took a letter from the bin.
"Bad, horrible spelling," she said throwing one into the fire, and "Bad, the town says Wolfsburg, but the postal stamp says Outer Gall."
A lot of places were bad and not good, you had learned at school. Outer Gall, you didn't remember it exactly, but the tone of Lady Miesha's voice made it sound appalling.
"This one, this one -- it's not a good letter, but it sure looks like it. When you read the actual letter, you find horrible disjointed writing, This was printed, not handwritten. But the Envelope was hand addressed, and the stamp was forged."
"If you aren't sure, throw it in the fire. I'll check a few before we actually light it tonight. Just to make sure you didn't throw anyone important away," she continued.
Without any further guidance, you tried to do this. You decided to pile up the good letters right next to the bin, but you didn't find any good ones for a while.
You could have missed some of the ones involving implausible countries, or postal stamps, you didn't know all of the places these were coming from, but suspiciously, they were written in perfect cursive, except every other word was badly misspelled.
Some of them were not letters at all, but postcards.
You asked the Lady about those, "Toss them," she said. She was the lady of Letters, not postcards or cute pictures with a little writing.
There was one larger envelope, which you were about to open.
"Stop!" Lady Miesha said insistently.
"That shouldn't even be in the bin. Carefully put it the fire."
She strode up to the fireplace after you gently placed it inside.
You couldn't throw a letter with any skill so you had been getting up after each bad letter and standing half the time.
Lady Miesha reviewed your rejections briefly sifting through the fireplace.
"This one," she said, pulling a purple envelope with blue paper out of the mound, "This is legit. Remember, Outer Kingston is still a place, unlike all of the other Outer places. Except Outer Hereford, that's another safe Outer name."
"It had misspellings," you protested, and then stopped.
"These are good person misspellings. You'll learn quickly."
Once she'd gone through the letters in the fireplace, she drew the chain link barrier closed, removing the papers from view. Brushing her fingers against the mantle, you heard the roaring of the fire, and when the lady opened the fireplace up again, only coals were left.
"Guess it wasn't anything harmful," Lady Miesha said. "But one can never know."
You handled the sorting of good and bad letters much more slowly than the Lady, finishing what she did in an hour in four.
"I wanted to get your writing practice started today, but we'll wait on that. Before your God-father gets home, I'd like to make a small step towards finding your specialty. What did you learn about in school that you really liked and wanted to get interested in, in a bigger adult way?"
You thought about it. Everything at school had been little kid stuff. What interesting thing could be of worth for this family.
"I'm not sure," you said, your eyes downcast. You really didn't have any ideas that you didn't reject right away.
"Just a moment sweetie," Lady Miesha said, disappearing into the hallway. You waited, trying to think of something useful. You had learned the basics of writing and the merchants' numbers. Your Safe class had covered the key information about staying safe, and a hint of where men and women could learn to protect their homes from the attackers in the night.
There were a few trifling things you liked from school, but they seemed to not match the serious tone of your God-parents. You doubted learning to read and write poetry and playing the recorder would be thought serious.
But you were wrong, as Lady Miesha came back with a letter written on plain paper.
"I thought I had a letter from the Administrator of your Children Center. Let's see: She spends hours pouring over the poems in our old mythbooks. When no one is looking, she writes little poems of her own. She tried the recorder in Music class, but I didn't sense any great potential in that area."
"I guess I didn't think it was useful or helpful," you offered. "I like poems though."
The Lady looked at you with a peculiar intensity. "My mentor thought that, back in the old days, when the day was no safer than the night. Every person, coiled up in fear in the bounds of their own home. But when my mentor began to write, and brave souls took up the cap of Post-man, the power of the letter to unite us was stronger than anyone dared to think."
"The mythbooks then?" you asked, your thoughts swirling around the hope that the Lady offered.
"Written by those of a generation or two before. The pen and sword together, are mightier than either separate."
"How do I get serious about poetry? I don't want to just continue my childish approach. I know you and Lord-Regent are trying to help me grow up and understand adult things," you asked.
"Sometimes people write poems in their letters. How about you bring out a new stack of writing paper, and I'll give you any of the letters with poems. You can read a poem, and write a poem back. Practice on an extra page of paper until you can make your handwriting neat and appropriate."
Lady Miesha continued to going through more stacks of letters while you waited for one letter with a poem in it. You decided to practice your handwriting, slowly tracing the cursive forms, correcting yourself after your lines dipped into the next line, or rose up into the line before.
You made sure to completely exhaust each page with writing, even filling up the back of the page, before placing it in the fireplace.
Finally, near the end of the day, when the Lord-Regent of Flowers would surely be returning home soon, the Lady gave you a letter with a poem in it. To understand the poem, you read the whole letter.
The letter was almost as interesting as the poem. The poem reminded you of one in the mythbooks called "He Gives and Takes Away".
You assumed your poem would come after the Lady's writing, so you decided to just write the poem without any prose. But what could it be about? The man was like your Lord of Schools, whom you had only met once. You pondered the thought of school, now that you had left it.
You had been writing and pondering the poem for so long that the Lord-Regent was sitting in the den with his lady, and yet they had not interrupted you.
You handed the paper (two pages) to Lady Miesha.
After a long pause (but too quickly to have read it all), she said, "This will be special to the Lord of Schools. Thank you sweetie. Now go ahead and wash up for dinner."
...
...
The beef stew was pretty good, with carrots and celery, and just a little salt.
"I couldn't take you to the pharmacy today, I got stuck with a new variety of daisy. A blessing really. But I will take you tomorrow. We also need to stop at the Farm store. Tomorrow night is the Vigil, which I'm sure the Childcare center did differently than a home. This is another opportunity for you to learn about being an adult," the Lord-Regent was saying.
"Yes Lord-Regent, I'm excited, even if we can't have ice cream floats," you said, interested in seeing what was at the farm store. Did they have potatoes or those other root vegetables?
Dinner passed and cleanup seemed to go by in a flash. Tomorrow night would be your first time staying up. At the children's center, kids staying up would just cause more problems and work for the caretakers who had to keep the place safe.
Weighted Diamond 3
- Location
- Michigan
``````
We're going to the pharmacy today,
There's medicine but we don't care,
We're going to the pharmacy today,
We're going to the So - Da - Jerk!
There's lots of bubbles in the root beer float,
We have a great big foamy mustache,
When we go - down - to - the pharmacy,
Waiting patiently for the - So - Da - Jerk!
Some like cof - fee, some like tea,
Some like lem - on wa - ter but not me!
There is on - ly one thing I crave most - ly!
I want a root beer float, oh - oh - oh - please!
``````
Your morning started much the same as yesterday. You woke up fifteen minutes earlier. Hauling the unfiltered letters in the den, you went through them, finding nothing scary like a big envelope to worry Lady Miesha.
You still had a third of the letters to go through when the Lord-Regent arrived. It was only lunch time.
Your god-parents had a 'conversation'.
"I have a lot of shopping to do, and I can't be late."
"You'll take her next week, I'm sure," the Lady responded.
"I wanted to treat her. If she's staying up tonight, she can finish going through these letters when she returns."
"I suppose. Say hello for me, to those you meet."
"Of course, lovey," he said. "Hurry up Daffodil! Your coat is in the closet."
You knew he meant you by the flower name, and went to get your coat, from the closet you never opened before.
This was a new coat, a rain jacket really, silver with purple frills.
You followed the Lord outside for the first time since you got to the house. The flowers were still the nice kind of smelly. Without thinking about it, you instinctively followed behind the Lord.
"We'll walk today and get a hansom back, so I can show you the town. Our neighbors are good people to know."
They walked down the middle of the road. There were a few people arriving home for lunch, but otherwise the street was empty.
"Our next door neighbors here are Doctor and Practitioner Gilliam. The Doctor is a Traveling Physician, and Lady Gilliam is a Nurse Practitioner and the Doc's perfect assist-woman. And on the other side of the road, that house with all of the gears and gadgets neatly tied out, that's the house of our neighborhood bachelor, or I should say fiancé. He's getting the house ready for his future wife. Mr. Goff is an expert mechanical engineer, and he specializes in repairing and making bicycles. Those are his creations outside."
You looked, seeing the rustic house still in need of cleanup and repair, but with the nice polished bicycles, but then your eyes flickered to the next house across the street.
"That's ol' Huber's residence. Professor Huber was a geology professor in the old city before he retired to Ellsworth. His wife still keeps some of the town's most cherished recipes, which she introduced to Ellsworth when they moved here. The Professor, in his retirement, finds time to be a bit of a books expert. If anyone has an old book, he can cipher it, and determine its value and meaning in our time."
The Professor's house didn't look especially great, being run down, but there was a strange smell which was fascinating, which seemed to be coming from somewhere around the house.
Maple street crossed main, and you followed your God-father, turning left and keeping to the left side of the road, as a horse rider passed by.
The Lord Regent tipped his brown hat at the man passing.
"Lord Flowers," the rider said quickly, as he trotted by.
Before the pharmacist, which you could see in the distance, on the right side of the road, there was the general store, and the post office.
On the left side, your God-father's storefront, and the larger greenhouse which loomed in the plot of land beyond the road. There were some other stores after your god-fathers', but you didn't see them, as you had locked on to the pharmacy on approach.
But first, there were people to talk to.
"Good morning, Lord Flowers," said a lady in her early twenties.
"Milady, good to see you," Lord Regent (Flowers) said, nodding his head at her.
"You'll be opening up firstday morning?" she asked.
"Always, of course," he said.
He watched, looking for horse or hansom, and seeing none, he crossed to the other side of the street, holding your hand tightly. The sidewalk was nearly full! There were four people there.
"Lord Flowers," said one man.
"Milord," said an older lady.
"Ned," said a neatly dressed man, wearing a grey coat and tie.
Your lord-regent responded to each of them. "Lord Iron, good to see you," and "Milady" and "Calvin".
'Calvin' was the only one who stopped and spoke to them.
"I see you've brought the young lady with you to the pharmacy."
As you knew you were supposed to, you let your god-father answer in your stead.
"It's her first trip into town. A nice treat for her. I was worried for Deanne at first, but now the young miss is already marking her own path, and this time, it fits very nicely into my Deanne's own pursuits."
"Well good, good. One of these weeks, we'll have to have the family over."
"Deanne and I would like that, once we get settled in with our god-daughter."
"Good good, well I will be on my way."
'Calvin' was headed in the opposite direction, but you couldn't help but be bored by anything but the pharmacy in the moment, so you were giddy, maybe more than you ought to be, as you entered.
There was a long bar with a soda jerk, wearing his white shirt with red stripes, standing behind it.
Two younger men were sitting at the bar drinking shakes, but you wanted the root beer float.
The kids in school couldn't help but talk about trips to the pharmacy, that's what they all wanted when they got their god-parents. You weren't much different, even though you had bigger dreams too.
You repeated your God-father's words: "It's good to see you Mr. Jerk."
"It's good to see you too. Is there any medicinals your Lordship needs to get? I would be happy to keep the young lady company while you attend to your business."
"Thank you, Mr. Jerk. I really appreciate it. There's no better Jerk in all the River valley," your god-father said.
"Aww, geeze, thanks Mr. H. --coughs-- anyway, Lord Regent, I will take your order for the soda counter if you'd like."
Lord Flowers smiled, saying, "I'll have the butterscotch sundae, and the young lady will have a root beer float."
Then your god-father wandered over to that tall counter in the other half of the building.
"A 'scotch and a classic, excellent."
You wondered what it was like to be a Soda jerk. It seemed wonderful, but maybe you would get a stomach ache to be around the sweet stuff all day long.
You sat on one of the bar stools, fading away into a dream land of butterscotch trees and root beer lakes. Ice cream hills and cherry peaks.
You were knocked out of your reverie by the Soda Jerk's words.
"Here you go miss," the Jerk told you, sliding the root beer float over in a big frosted mug.
You took quick sips of the foamy root beer to stop it from overflowing. Your thoughts wandered away again.
You were shocked at your float. It was half-gone.
"Woah, slow down there sweetie, you'll freeze your head," said your god-father.
You decided to take a break, swooning a bit. The freeze-head flew away after a minute or two.
"Try this butterscotch," your god-father said, and you took a fresh spoon from the Soda jerk, taking a small bite of butterscotch topping, ice cream and banana.
It was wonderful, but you were already feeling a little overwhelmed. Hard to appreciate it all.
"Maybe we should have split," the Lord Regent said.
You swooned, your head was fuzzy as you stood up. You stumbled, collapsing to the ground. Why were you so clumsy all of a sudden.
You blacked out.
````
"I thought there was no family history, Doc?"
"Her mother's side had a small susceptibility. We don't have the equipment to know anymore."
"Ruthenian," said the Lord Regent.
"Mother's Father's side. Leblanc was her mother's mother's side."
"I think she's waking, Lord Doctor, Lord Regent," said a woman's voice.
"Tabatha, can you hear me?" said your God-father.
You blinked a few times, then opened your eyes.
"I can hear," you mumbled.
"She's recovering. But, Ned, I only have so much supply. You need to keep her on a careful diet. And no more trips to the pharmacy."
You didn't want to wake up anymore. No trips to the pharmacy? You could have fought to stay awake, but you drifted off in sadness instead.
We're going to the pharmacy today,
There's medicine but we don't care,
We're going to the pharmacy today,
We're going to the So - Da - Jerk!
There's lots of bubbles in the root beer float,
We have a great big foamy mustache,
When we go - down - to - the pharmacy,
Waiting patiently for the - So - Da - Jerk!
Some like cof - fee, some like tea,
Some like lem - on wa - ter but not me!
There is on - ly one thing I crave most - ly!
I want a root beer float, oh - oh - oh - please!
``````
Your morning started much the same as yesterday. You woke up fifteen minutes earlier. Hauling the unfiltered letters in the den, you went through them, finding nothing scary like a big envelope to worry Lady Miesha.
You still had a third of the letters to go through when the Lord-Regent arrived. It was only lunch time.
Your god-parents had a 'conversation'.
"I have a lot of shopping to do, and I can't be late."
"You'll take her next week, I'm sure," the Lady responded.
"I wanted to treat her. If she's staying up tonight, she can finish going through these letters when she returns."
"I suppose. Say hello for me, to those you meet."
"Of course, lovey," he said. "Hurry up Daffodil! Your coat is in the closet."
You knew he meant you by the flower name, and went to get your coat, from the closet you never opened before.
This was a new coat, a rain jacket really, silver with purple frills.
You followed the Lord outside for the first time since you got to the house. The flowers were still the nice kind of smelly. Without thinking about it, you instinctively followed behind the Lord.
"We'll walk today and get a hansom back, so I can show you the town. Our neighbors are good people to know."
They walked down the middle of the road. There were a few people arriving home for lunch, but otherwise the street was empty.
"Our next door neighbors here are Doctor and Practitioner Gilliam. The Doctor is a Traveling Physician, and Lady Gilliam is a Nurse Practitioner and the Doc's perfect assist-woman. And on the other side of the road, that house with all of the gears and gadgets neatly tied out, that's the house of our neighborhood bachelor, or I should say fiancé. He's getting the house ready for his future wife. Mr. Goff is an expert mechanical engineer, and he specializes in repairing and making bicycles. Those are his creations outside."
You looked, seeing the rustic house still in need of cleanup and repair, but with the nice polished bicycles, but then your eyes flickered to the next house across the street.
"That's ol' Huber's residence. Professor Huber was a geology professor in the old city before he retired to Ellsworth. His wife still keeps some of the town's most cherished recipes, which she introduced to Ellsworth when they moved here. The Professor, in his retirement, finds time to be a bit of a books expert. If anyone has an old book, he can cipher it, and determine its value and meaning in our time."
The Professor's house didn't look especially great, being run down, but there was a strange smell which was fascinating, which seemed to be coming from somewhere around the house.
Maple street crossed main, and you followed your God-father, turning left and keeping to the left side of the road, as a horse rider passed by.
The Lord Regent tipped his brown hat at the man passing.
"Lord Flowers," the rider said quickly, as he trotted by.
Before the pharmacist, which you could see in the distance, on the right side of the road, there was the general store, and the post office.
On the left side, your God-father's storefront, and the larger greenhouse which loomed in the plot of land beyond the road. There were some other stores after your god-fathers', but you didn't see them, as you had locked on to the pharmacy on approach.
But first, there were people to talk to.
"Good morning, Lord Flowers," said a lady in her early twenties.
"Milady, good to see you," Lord Regent (Flowers) said, nodding his head at her.
"You'll be opening up firstday morning?" she asked.
"Always, of course," he said.
He watched, looking for horse or hansom, and seeing none, he crossed to the other side of the street, holding your hand tightly. The sidewalk was nearly full! There were four people there.
"Lord Flowers," said one man.
"Milord," said an older lady.
"Ned," said a neatly dressed man, wearing a grey coat and tie.
Your lord-regent responded to each of them. "Lord Iron, good to see you," and "Milady" and "Calvin".
'Calvin' was the only one who stopped and spoke to them.
"I see you've brought the young lady with you to the pharmacy."
As you knew you were supposed to, you let your god-father answer in your stead.
"It's her first trip into town. A nice treat for her. I was worried for Deanne at first, but now the young miss is already marking her own path, and this time, it fits very nicely into my Deanne's own pursuits."
"Well good, good. One of these weeks, we'll have to have the family over."
"Deanne and I would like that, once we get settled in with our god-daughter."
"Good good, well I will be on my way."
'Calvin' was headed in the opposite direction, but you couldn't help but be bored by anything but the pharmacy in the moment, so you were giddy, maybe more than you ought to be, as you entered.
There was a long bar with a soda jerk, wearing his white shirt with red stripes, standing behind it.
Two younger men were sitting at the bar drinking shakes, but you wanted the root beer float.
The kids in school couldn't help but talk about trips to the pharmacy, that's what they all wanted when they got their god-parents. You weren't much different, even though you had bigger dreams too.
You repeated your God-father's words: "It's good to see you Mr. Jerk."
"It's good to see you too. Is there any medicinals your Lordship needs to get? I would be happy to keep the young lady company while you attend to your business."
"Thank you, Mr. Jerk. I really appreciate it. There's no better Jerk in all the River valley," your god-father said.
"Aww, geeze, thanks Mr. H. --coughs-- anyway, Lord Regent, I will take your order for the soda counter if you'd like."
Lord Flowers smiled, saying, "I'll have the butterscotch sundae, and the young lady will have a root beer float."
Then your god-father wandered over to that tall counter in the other half of the building.
"A 'scotch and a classic, excellent."
You wondered what it was like to be a Soda jerk. It seemed wonderful, but maybe you would get a stomach ache to be around the sweet stuff all day long.
You sat on one of the bar stools, fading away into a dream land of butterscotch trees and root beer lakes. Ice cream hills and cherry peaks.
You were knocked out of your reverie by the Soda Jerk's words.
"Here you go miss," the Jerk told you, sliding the root beer float over in a big frosted mug.
You took quick sips of the foamy root beer to stop it from overflowing. Your thoughts wandered away again.
You were shocked at your float. It was half-gone.
"Woah, slow down there sweetie, you'll freeze your head," said your god-father.
You decided to take a break, swooning a bit. The freeze-head flew away after a minute or two.
"Try this butterscotch," your god-father said, and you took a fresh spoon from the Soda jerk, taking a small bite of butterscotch topping, ice cream and banana.
It was wonderful, but you were already feeling a little overwhelmed. Hard to appreciate it all.
"Maybe we should have split," the Lord Regent said.
You swooned, your head was fuzzy as you stood up. You stumbled, collapsing to the ground. Why were you so clumsy all of a sudden.
You blacked out.
````
"I thought there was no family history, Doc?"
"Her mother's side had a small susceptibility. We don't have the equipment to know anymore."
"Ruthenian," said the Lord Regent.
"Mother's Father's side. Leblanc was her mother's mother's side."
"I think she's waking, Lord Doctor, Lord Regent," said a woman's voice.
"Tabatha, can you hear me?" said your God-father.
You blinked a few times, then opened your eyes.
"I can hear," you mumbled.
"She's recovering. But, Ned, I only have so much supply. You need to keep her on a careful diet. And no more trips to the pharmacy."
You didn't want to wake up anymore. No trips to the pharmacy? You could have fought to stay awake, but you drifted off in sadness instead.
Space Prince Arrives at the Fifth Grade
- Location
- Michigan
Saionji Misao seemed like a good enough cover identity. His personal guardian would go by Kaji. He would have Sai as a nickname.
`Sai` had been speaking Japanese with his guard team over the past few months. Only having `Kaji` on planet would have made him nervous, but the planet had no Class A threats to his person (or even Class B or C).
His personal staff had insisted on learning local customs around attire, and now he was wearing a rather nice blue suit, and bow tie. Kaji followed me into the school. It was a little early, so I only saw a few students heading to class.
Ms. Kirasawi was my teacher. Other than a few specialist subjects, I would be in her class for the whole day. We had chosen this school because of it's excellent physical fitness program and early leadership program, but I would have to prove to the school that I was capable of its programs.
I would have to go through a few boring years before I could into the best programs in the school. Kaji at least would challenge me to continue my martial arts training.
"Little Star," he said, "I'll be nearby in case anything untoward happens. We've screened the planet, there's no assassins that we can detect. Your third uncle is keeping his eyes on the planet. Fifth Armada is 17 light years away now, but they can divert if needed."
"It would be best if Fifth Armada returns to it's operational program. Have first uncle detach a small squadron to operate within 40 LY of this planet," I said.
There was no reason to keep a whole armada away from the more important defensive positions.
"Yes your highness. Good luck in class."
I opened the door into the classroom, and found only one other student had arrived as of yet.
The girl wore a green dress and didn't even glance over my way as I entered. She was writing on a pad of paper.
I took a front row seat in the middle, while the girl was sitting two rows back on the right side by the window.
I much preferred the local people's mechanical pencils to the other devices they gave the same name to. My staff promised that they had found the best brand of mechanical pencil for me. There were twelve neatly slotted in a gray case, which also contained a gray eraser.
I pulled out my notebook also, and wrote my Japanese name on the inside cover.
I got distracted thinking about the recent raids on the Epsilon sector, and I started writing a few notes about the situation. It tested my ability to think in Japanese, and I had to pause once to consider how to phrase something.
Rapid Response needed. Raiders are almost guaranteed to be unofficially Seventh Dynasty forces. They are feeling threatened from recent colonization in their sphere of influence. Or our technological advances.
Standard Hyperspace fighters aren't strong enough to resist the raiders. We need a heavy and fast fighter, or a small ship that's inexpensive enough to widely deploy for counter-incursion. And training to recognize and respond. Maybe some work on the planetary defense systems.
MilProd is still skewed to mainline combat ships, but maybe a slight allocation to this frigate or heavy fighter would help. If we can make them adaptive enough to also be useful in a fleet battle.
We need to expand supply ships to make up for the lackluster supply situation of hyperspace fighters and frigates. Maybe a periodic resupply circuit to resupply all of these regional response forces.
We could even consider making this part of a political push to reassure local authorities that some decentralization is coming. Put the response forces under local authority, and then replace any incompetent local military leadership.
Many students had already filled in as I looked up. I turned the page to start fresh. Ms. Kirasawi arrived, and soon after the class started.
"Welcome students, welcome, welcome. Most of you are continuing on from last year, but we do have three new students. Ms. Nishio Takeyo. Please stand up. Ms. Takeyo is transferring from Okinawa. She is already recognized for her artwork, and will be working closely with Mrs. Sugi, our art teacher.
Secondly, Ms. Rieko Matsutoya. Ms. Matsutoya has arrived from one of our neighbor schools. Ms. Matsutoya lives with her grandparents and likes to help with their gardening.
Lastly, Mr. Saionji Misao. Mr. Misao, can you introduce yourself? I was not informed on where you have transferred from or your situation?"
I was prepared for this. Best just to alter the facts as little as possible. "Yes Mrs. Kirasawi. My uncle and I have recently moved to Japan. We both worked hard to immerse ourselves in your language so we could be prepared. I believe my uncle has some business opportunities he is pursuing here but I don't know, he doesn't tell me a lot.
I've lived with my uncles since I was four. Um, I like Martial arts, and hope to get into your school's Martial Arts Program."
"Thank you, Mr. Misao," the teacher said. "Now let's begin. Open your history textbooks to the Preface, page XIII."
After reciting the national anthem on that page, they continued on to discuss the earliest history of Japan. Very little was known about Japan before things were altered by Chinese influence. There were a few historical sites and temples with claims to be before Chinese "corruption."
We studied the earliest origins of Shinto and the differences with modern belief. Finally, Ms. Kirasawi switched to math. Using the whiteboard each student was instructed to take a word problem written in Japanese and then solve it out using `Arabic` numerals.
I sighed in relief that my team had identified another language hidden in this world's mathematics, and I was trained on that as well. Quickly, I calculated 23 * 18 = 414.
The school's math instruction was pretty primitive. We jumped around practicing basics like these two digit multiplications, and then working with geometric figures, and then some very practical studies with a tape measure or estimating how many candies were in a small jar. She promised to give anyone a treat who guessed exactly the right answer.
Before long the class broke up, and several classes of students followed along into the stadium. While tiny compared to the public venues I was used to, it was an impressive stadium for a small school like this one.
After we were crowded in the stands, the Physical Fitness instructor amplified his voice and spoke. "Welcome to a new year, beginning again the pursuit of health. All students already classified by ability level, please come on down to the field, join your Group Leaders."
About a third of the students went down onto the field after that.
"Now, for those of you who do not know, we have minimum standards for students who wish to be part of the Physical Fitness program. Senior High students, you must reach a minimum standard of 5 kyu to stay in the program. Students between 1 and 5 kyu will join the Standard Senior High group. For those who reach more advanced levels, we have groups for 1-2 dan, 3 dan and our top student group for those who reach a 4 dan evaluation. So all 9th graders, and Senior High transfers, please come down for evaluation."
Kaji had told me before that most schools on planet weren't that focused on martial arts, the two hour block for Physical Fitness was quite rare. This was one of the school most focused on these arts on planet. Obviously they didn't have any knowledge or ability to train in Transcendent arts, but I still have Kaji to work on that.
Each student being evaluated sparred for a few minutes with one of the student assistants. It was a quick process, with five assistants, and each evaluation only took a minute or so. After 20 minutes, roughly half of those being evaluated were encouraged to train during their own time at home, and left the stadium. They hadn't reached 5 kyu grading he assumed.
Of the students who had reached that standard, some were directed to three student assistants that stood next to the teacher. Others joined the Standard senior high group right away.
A few of the new students were directed to the 1 and 2 dan training group, where the best student of the Senior High group had a chance to spar with the teacher himself.
But after another minute, that student was also directed to the 1 and 2 dan group. After that, Mr. Uesato spoke up again. "For our Junior High students, the minimum standard is an evaluation of 8 kyu. Those of you who reach the 5 kyu student in Junior High will be part of our Advanced Junior High group, and the other qualifiers will be part of the Standard Junior high group. If you have not been evaluated since entering Junior High, come on down."
After another twenty minutes, the Junior High students were evaluated.
"Lastly, 5th Grade is the youngest age we accept for the program. We are very strict in only accepting the top 5th graders. Those of you who don't make it today, remember, many Junior High students enter the program after not making it in their 5th grade year. It is really just an early training year for our most promising students. 5th graders, please come on down."
I followed our whole class as well as the other 5th grade classes as we went out onto the field. We joined the third of five lines as the same student assistants began sparring with students in front of us.
The assistants seemed to be quite quick and brutal considering the size different between them and the small fifth graders. While I was taller than normal for my grade, these assistants would still loom over me.
There were actually a few fifth graders who cried after being hit by the assistant's blows, but most of the students were silent.
After very quickly going through the students in front of me, I reached the assistant assigned to my line.
I bowed to the girl. "Get ready," she said, and then swiftly approached me and tried to strike my chest with her right palm.
My elbow collided with hers and her strike was adjusted just enough. I responded with a sweep with my right foot, trying to knock her off balance. She wobbled but adjusted her stance, overpowering my returning fist.
I couldn't overpower her volley of kicks, so I darted backwards, and then hit her left side with my right elbow, going past her.
The concentration of qi was a sign of the assistant escalating the fight. I controlled my power level, sticking to what Kaji had showed me was reasonable for a very talented but not ridiculous fifth grader.
The blurring fist of her qi powered blow was deflected by the energy shield formation I formed with quick hand seals.
We were in a tense standoff. Lightning currents were running between the girl's hands but she didn't unleash them yet.
I prepared my hand seals in case this girl's intentions were hostile. The 1st Technique of the Dragon was the least revealing offensive ability I had. I found myself translating mystic language into Japanese and finding that it was a reasonable language for explaining such abilities.
The girl unleashed lightning but the First Step of the Dragon devours lightning. The girl fell backwards. There was anger in her eyes.
"Enough!" Mr. Uesato said. "This student demonstrated enough skill to enter the Early Elementary Student's Group after 5 seconds. Step back, and your sensei will practice with the bright young student."
"Yes, sensei," the girl said. Lightning disappearing from her hands. She bowed and stepped back.
"Now let's see those hand seals. A rare ability even for Senior High students. We do have a few experts in the more esoteric ways of these seals."
The 1st Technique only took three seals, but they were very precise, and continuing the series into the 2nd Technique required immediately proceeding to use eight more seals.
I stuck to just the 1st Technique. My hands were wreathed in a fire that didn't hurt, but was composed of dozens of tiny sparks which could attack an enemy or deflect the enemy's own attacks.
"A fire technique in three seals? And a flexible one, make the fire wisps attack me," the teacher said.
I did as he said, and he had to step back to have enough time to deal with each of the fire wisps.
"Very impressive, and your name student?"
"Saionji Misao, sir," I said.
"I am restricted by the school board, but join the Early Elementary group. Also, I would like to speak with you after today's session. I have a pass for your teacher."
We had two Senior High students leading our Early Elementary group. From all the 5th grade classes, there were only 5 of us.
Surprisingly, this artist from my classroom, Ms. Takeyo, had also become part of this group. Truly, a girl skilled in multiple areas.
"Don't think about the fancy techniques you hear in stories. Start with our own school's Way of Discipline. When you can perform the first three katas, you can begin to specialize and study a unique art."
We went through a few very simple maneuvers, focusing on basics of footwork, movement of the body and hand position and movement.
Finally, the two hour session was done, and I went to speak with Mr. Uesato. He lead me into his office at the stadium.
"With power comes responsibility, Mr. Misao. I recognize the technique you used was just the first of a series. The way you immediately stopped, though you had an inclination to continue, gave it away. It is not my place to know how or why you learned a powerful style at such an early age, but Mr. Misao, it is my job to protect my students. Please don't use this series in my class. It is exceptionally difficult to dispel. Students won't be able to avoid it, and someone could be hurt badly.
"The only time you may use that technique is sparring with myself or other professionals, if we have specifically asked you to.
"And one more thing, Mr. Misao. While I can't officially assign you to the 1-2 dan group or any Junior High group, I would like to continue your training as our schedules permit. I will approach you in a few weeks after the early foolishness is dealt with."
"Thank you, Mr. Uesato," I said. "May I have the pass for my teacher?"
He wrote something up for me and I headed to lunch. The lunch room was quite full, and so I had to sit with a group of older students.
"Ms. Higashi lost her cool when this kid was able to respond to her attacks," one of the 10th graders said.
"The Ice Queen challenged by a fifth grader?" the girl sitting next to the first boy said.
Another girl said, "She was defeated by our class representative."
"Yeah, he's a legend, that still means she should be more than able to demolish even the world's best 5th grader."
"Hey kid, never saw you in the 4th grade fitness groups. This is the first we've heard about a superstar kid coming up," the first girl said.
"I'm a transfer,' I said. "Saionji Misao. It is good to meet you, senior students."
The boy was Ryosho. The only one of the group still in Mr. Uesato's class. The three girls were Misha, Totsushi (Tots) and Satsushi (Satsu).
"We do some training outside of school. Ryosho has taught us a few things, but we still keep him humble, don't we girls? You should come some time, if your parents are okay with it," Tots said.
"I live with my uncles, I'll see what they think. Let me know where and when."
Lunch was pretty awful. I was going to have Kaji bring something back from home, but I was delayed and never had a chance, plus I couldn't exactly eat a separate meal at a full table of students without attracting attention.
The afternoon lessons with Ms. Kirasawi were rather boring. Science lessons that were hundreds of years old. Really these lessons would maybe have been covered in History of Science. The lesson was at a very broad level, covering a summary of scientific areas, like Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Ms. Kirasawi said we would be getting into Chemistry in future sessions and doing some labs. To be cordial, I paid attention as much as I could, and even answered a question when the teacher asked.
After science there were a few minutes of local civics. They were encouraged to ask the road wardens for help if they had any trouble on the way home.
I met up with Kaji after school. We had purchased a house which was quite cheap in the local currency despite it's size. As we walked home, Kaji filled me in on his day.
"I wasn't around at lunch because I was pulled into the Headmistress' office and I had to explain myself. It's a matter of honesty and decorum but not revealing too much. I guess she thinks you are a son of one of the local Imperial family's cadet branches. Basically, akin to your second and third cousins. Of course, you would be under an assumed name. Your performance during the fitness evaluation confirmed that view in her mind.
"I got carried away," I said.
"This girl did too. The Headmistress confirmed the girl goes a bit overboard in everything she does. I will show you another attack series that should be more low key and appropriate for training with your juniors," he said.
"Teacher Uesato recognized that I was used the first attack in a series. I didn't tell him anything but he figured out as much."
"Impressive. Your martial arts teacher is perceptive, well at least you can use this training series. You shouldn't need more than the second step."
They separated from the wave of students as they turned down another street approaching their new home. It wasn't just students leaving the street alone, there was nobody on this street at all.
He heard the sound of someone muttering but couldn't find it's source.
* * *
Professor Tsuyame didn't usually travel in this part of the city. As second in command of the road wardens in addition to his research of Hostile Paranormal Entities, he guarded the boundaries of the safe routes to and from the college.
But he had heard someone bought the old mansion in the epicenter of the city's paranormal activity. His studies demanded he get close to the enemy, which meant he needed to be a strong martial artist in addition to scientist.
The first day of school wasn't just significant to students and parents, it was spiritually significant to the enemy. How many times have the unwary been caught out by the relative calm before the start of term? Countless times.
But here it was again, a battle between humans and malevolent beings, caused by the humans stepping away from the safe roadways.
Sometimes the strongest fighters had the biggest stumbling blocks when it came to safety, and he decided that was the case as he came upon the two of them.
The adult caused massive emanations in the force lines as he destroyed smaller spirits one after another, keeping them away from the child. His techniques were lightning aligned.
Foolishly, while he fought the lesser beings, the child fought a greater spirit, something akin to a coyote, the monster snapped his jaws at the boy, and was only barely resisted with a whole technique series.
Fire tattoos glowed on the boy's forehead and on both arms. Spouts of flame blasted the Coyote, and the spirit responded by empowering it's bite still further, and then howling.
"Only until the fifth step, --" the man shouted, and then turned to him. "Who are you?"
"I am Professor Tsuyame with the road wardens, I'm here to help you escape the malevolent spirits. I have some questions after we get back to safety."
The man turned and once again destroyed a wave of minor spirits with his arts.
Professor Tsuyame rushed forward, speaking briefly to the boy. "Go!"
The man finally spoke as the Professor began dissolving the spirit's tether in existence.
"I am Kajihara Nakata, and this is Misao Saionji."
It took only a few applications of the shielding charm, and he had the greater spirit displaced from existence.
Nakata and the boy, Sai, had proceeded to clear the way to retreat, and Professor Tsuyame lead them back away from the danger zone into safety. A couple of spirits even followed into the safe zone, and Tsuyame knew he would have to have a serious conversation with the Chief Warden about increasing patrols in this area and rearranging the safe corridor.
There wasn't a lot of foot traffic where the spirits had impinged on the safe zone, so he retreated with the two to a diner nearby.
As they waited for their food, he asked the two why they were off the safe zone.
The boy spoke up, "I am a bit of a Martial Arts hobbyist. So my uncles researched and found the school here was the best martial arts school in the world. Today was my first day of course.
Last week, we walked back and forth down the same road a dozen times. My uncles' servants went out to get food and supplies for the house, and no one reported any issues. We had heard about the dangers, but we didn't realize it was so serious."
"And this house was outside the safe zone?" the Professor asked.
"We found the place when we were looking for housing in the city. It was a reasonable size for our needs, and less expensive than the other options. We had a little trouble converting our currency at first, so we don't have as much Yen as we originally hoped. The place fit."
"And is this the place?" the Professor asked, showing a polaroid picture.
He could tell from their reactions that it was. The idiots had just doomed themselves. At least the boy was safe.
"Are there any other children in your family here?" he asked. If there was a child in danger at the epicenter, he would take a risk and go in, not before asking for lots of backup of course.
"No other children. My two uncles, and seven personal staff, plus Kaji, chief of security, I guess you could call them."
The boy had seven servants working for him, and not random people but highly skilled? This Kaji's ability to deal with swarming spirits would give him a sure job with the Road wardens or any other organization.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but unless you have one of the five best martial artists in the world, and three other paranormalists of ability akin to my one, your family and staff are probably dead already."
He was grim. Though he spoke matter-of-factly, he did not make light of any losses to the evil spirits.
"My uncles did not pursue such arts. They are masters of business. Is there anything you can do Kajihara," the boy asked.
"What sorts of threats would our people face at the house?"
"It is a local epicenter of malevolent spirits. Foes much greater then the one Student Misao fought are there," the professor said.
"I am sorry, Little Star. There is nothing we can do. We missed a Class B threat in our survey, and we didn't prepare anything for paranormal threats."
"Stay safe, and keep to the safe roads. Follow the wardens' instructions," he said.
"Thank you, Professor," the boy and his `chief of security` said.
When he got back to headquarters, he reported in to his boss.
"What do you have to report Professor Tsuyame?"
"I have rescued two people. They were off the safe roads. Both of them were skilled martial artists. At least 5 dan by my reckoning."
"What's their excuse?" his boss asked.
"New arrivals. The manor has changed hands again. And most likely, the boy's parents were killed after the spirits showed up for start of term.
"What's this about a boy?"
"One of the two we rescued was a child, maybe 13 or 14? The adult was fighting the minor spirits while the boy fought a major coyote spirit until I intervened."
"A true prodigy."
"The adult told me they had sought out the best Martial Arts primary school and found our school."
"I will keep watch on the school. Find one of your subordinates to watch over the college, and I want you to investigate what will happen next with the manor. How do they keep putting that manor on the market. It's an increasing amount of blood on our hands if we can't get that place off the listings.
"Yes sir."
* * *
Most of our money was back at the house, the house we couldn't get to. Our fleet communicator was also there. And the people, servants I had known since I was little. And my uncles.
Losing Sumi and Kesaimi, that hit me hardest. And if we needed to go back, how would we communicate with the fleet? If they had feared anything like this, Kaji would have insisted on a regular check in policy with the elite. This was a Class B threat. Not an assassin, but an unforseen danger that truly put them in peril. They would never have come here at all if they knew about it.
Spirits of that kind had been purged from the Kingdom for hundreds of years. To encounter that old danger here, was odd and terrifying.
Sumi and Kesaimi were friends. They were older than him, in their early twenties, but young enough that they could interact and joke without being so formal.
"What if we used Transcendent power, rescue whoever is still alive, and then leave. We can figure out other classes on a world that isn't cursed," I asked Kaji.
"The fleet is too far out. By the time we get here we'll be drowning in assassins and enemy fleets," Kaji said. "You know I wasn't trained for gentleness. You have to take this situation like a soldier, discipline yourself and get revenge. Your Highness, I think we will shape you into a worthy king. You have a mission now, to end these spirits."
"I asked for a challenge. To learn and grow in Martial Arts. Sumi and Kesaimi had some other training in mind, but my focus will have to be on these arts," I reasoned.
"I need some time to steady myself," I told Kaji.
"I will have to think on our next steps. We will need money to find a new place to stay. I might have to work with the locals to pay our way through the next few years.
"There will be some benefit in this for you too, Uncle."
* * *
It was a frantic morning as we used the last of our funds to rent a few weeks of room and board at the hotel and get a few simple changes of clothing for each of us.
Staying busy was suitable for me, it kept me from getting mired in my thoughts. I had to keep going for now. Morning classes were not my focus, I let the information come in, and I would work on the two assignments I received tonight, but I was focused on the two hours of Fitness.
I was surprised when I was pulled aside as I was headed with our class over to the stadium
"Mr. Misao, are you aware of the spiritual emanations caused by emotion."
"Vaguely. Spiritual emanations?" I said.
"It's only in extreme cases, but yes. These emanations are a sign my office uses to help those who need counseling. Please follow me," she said.
"But I was headed to the stadium for my fitness class," I said, protesting.
"Come with me, Mr. Misao. Trying to avoid facing your emotions by staying busy, especially with exercise and martial minded hobbies, isn't going to help. I've unfortunately seen it many times."
Reluctantly I followed the staff member to her office.
"I am Assistant Counselor Hara. I'm here to listen, whenever."
I didn't have anything to say at first.
"I've seen a lot of kids not say anything, just holding it all in. The ones who talk recover a lot better."
"I grew up knowing about death. My mother died six months after my father. It took a long time to find people I could trust. Sami and Kesaimi, I could trust them. We can't even bury them."
"Did you know about the safe zones and safe roads when you came here?" the counselor asked.
Really I was letting it all get to me in front of other people. That was embarrassing. I had to be better for my people.
"No. We heard about dangers but we had seen warnings for many of the places we checked, so we just thought it was local fears, and we would be able to deal with whatever we encountered."
"The city needs to do everything to make the dangers more apparent. This happens multiple times a year, unfortunately. Not always with someone going to the school here, but often. Your home was outside the safe zone, and it was attacked by the spirits?"
"Kaji and I encountered the spirits on the way to our new house. We had been there for a few days prior with no trouble, but yesterday, we were suddenly faced with a lot of spirits. Hundreds of minor spirits and a major spirit.
Professor Tsuyame arrived, and helped us escape from the swarm. He said there was no way we could reach our house without a huge group of the best martial artists in town. So we had to go rent a hotel room last night. A lot of our money was in that house too.
Sumi and Kesaimi were two members of my personal staff. My uncle was there also. He was in charge of the household. And there were other personal staff, cooks, people to look after Uncle and myself. Now Kaji is going to look for work so we can pay for a place to live."
"I know the Professor quite well. If he was involved, this was no minor incursion of spirits around your house. Mr. Kaji should spend some time at the college studying warding. It is an important subject regionally, to know how to protect your home. There are many passive ways to defend the home from spirits, in addition to active techniques. The Japanese board of tourism really should warn about this region."
"I wanted to go home, but we don't have any quick way to do that, and Kaji convinced me to work harder, to make something out of a bad thing. So that's why I want to go to Fitness."
"Come back tomorrow also, and then maybe we'll find a different time of day for counseling. This is not a minor thing, Mr. Misao. Losing family and friends is not something you'll get over in a few days.
* * *
Mr. Uesato stormed into the head counselor's office. "You pulled my newest star out of class? Who do you think you are?"
He leaned against the woman's desk. She was just a staff person. Unless the Headmistress approved it, he would release Student Misao from the Counseling department. They would otherwise hold onto students for months, keeping them away from important classes, including his own.
"Did you hear about the battle near Hondou road yesterday? Hundreds of minor spirits defeated, and a coyote-type major spirit."
"What does that have to do with this?" he asked.
"Student Misao and his security detail defeated most of those," the counselor said.
"All the more reason to continue the young student's training."
"They say they were headed to a house they just purchased last week," she said.
"during the Calm -- The manor, those idiots. Why do the strongest students have the worst parents?"
"We don't know it was the manor, but according to what I've heard, the battle Student Misao was in was just the outermost region of a massive conflagration of spirits. Whoever was still at the manner is surely dead now."
"And so, Student Misao needs counseling."
"In some ways, he is doing quite well, all things considered. I will reach out to the city about his situation."
***
I actually got to the cafeteria on time, and ended up sitting with three girls in my class. They invited me to sit there.
One of them was Ms. Takeyo the other girl from class in my fitness group.
Ms. Ueyemi, Ms. Picard (an odd name I thought), and Ms. Mitikihara were the other three girls.
"Fighting the Ice Queen, are you really a fifth grader?" Ueyemi asked.
Takeyo ignored her saying, "we've got a little training group going, if you want to stop by sometime."
First the senior high students and now fifth graders. Did every friend group have a sparring club?
"We've been calling her the Phantasm, Takeyo can make her art real, and just a fifth grader and now we have to come up with a nickname for you?" Picard said.
"You don't have to," I said.
I had fought the spirits the day before so it didn't take more than a moment to recognize the cause of the sudden disturbance. A girl dropped her lunch tray, but it wasn't clumsiness.
`Sai` had been speaking Japanese with his guard team over the past few months. Only having `Kaji` on planet would have made him nervous, but the planet had no Class A threats to his person (or even Class B or C).
His personal staff had insisted on learning local customs around attire, and now he was wearing a rather nice blue suit, and bow tie. Kaji followed me into the school. It was a little early, so I only saw a few students heading to class.
Ms. Kirasawi was my teacher. Other than a few specialist subjects, I would be in her class for the whole day. We had chosen this school because of it's excellent physical fitness program and early leadership program, but I would have to prove to the school that I was capable of its programs.
I would have to go through a few boring years before I could into the best programs in the school. Kaji at least would challenge me to continue my martial arts training.
"Little Star," he said, "I'll be nearby in case anything untoward happens. We've screened the planet, there's no assassins that we can detect. Your third uncle is keeping his eyes on the planet. Fifth Armada is 17 light years away now, but they can divert if needed."
"It would be best if Fifth Armada returns to it's operational program. Have first uncle detach a small squadron to operate within 40 LY of this planet," I said.
There was no reason to keep a whole armada away from the more important defensive positions.
"Yes your highness. Good luck in class."
I opened the door into the classroom, and found only one other student had arrived as of yet.
The girl wore a green dress and didn't even glance over my way as I entered. She was writing on a pad of paper.
I took a front row seat in the middle, while the girl was sitting two rows back on the right side by the window.
I much preferred the local people's mechanical pencils to the other devices they gave the same name to. My staff promised that they had found the best brand of mechanical pencil for me. There were twelve neatly slotted in a gray case, which also contained a gray eraser.
I pulled out my notebook also, and wrote my Japanese name on the inside cover.
I got distracted thinking about the recent raids on the Epsilon sector, and I started writing a few notes about the situation. It tested my ability to think in Japanese, and I had to pause once to consider how to phrase something.
Rapid Response needed. Raiders are almost guaranteed to be unofficially Seventh Dynasty forces. They are feeling threatened from recent colonization in their sphere of influence. Or our technological advances.
Standard Hyperspace fighters aren't strong enough to resist the raiders. We need a heavy and fast fighter, or a small ship that's inexpensive enough to widely deploy for counter-incursion. And training to recognize and respond. Maybe some work on the planetary defense systems.
MilProd is still skewed to mainline combat ships, but maybe a slight allocation to this frigate or heavy fighter would help. If we can make them adaptive enough to also be useful in a fleet battle.
We need to expand supply ships to make up for the lackluster supply situation of hyperspace fighters and frigates. Maybe a periodic resupply circuit to resupply all of these regional response forces.
We could even consider making this part of a political push to reassure local authorities that some decentralization is coming. Put the response forces under local authority, and then replace any incompetent local military leadership.
Many students had already filled in as I looked up. I turned the page to start fresh. Ms. Kirasawi arrived, and soon after the class started.
"Welcome students, welcome, welcome. Most of you are continuing on from last year, but we do have three new students. Ms. Nishio Takeyo. Please stand up. Ms. Takeyo is transferring from Okinawa. She is already recognized for her artwork, and will be working closely with Mrs. Sugi, our art teacher.
Secondly, Ms. Rieko Matsutoya. Ms. Matsutoya has arrived from one of our neighbor schools. Ms. Matsutoya lives with her grandparents and likes to help with their gardening.
Lastly, Mr. Saionji Misao. Mr. Misao, can you introduce yourself? I was not informed on where you have transferred from or your situation?"
I was prepared for this. Best just to alter the facts as little as possible. "Yes Mrs. Kirasawi. My uncle and I have recently moved to Japan. We both worked hard to immerse ourselves in your language so we could be prepared. I believe my uncle has some business opportunities he is pursuing here but I don't know, he doesn't tell me a lot.
I've lived with my uncles since I was four. Um, I like Martial arts, and hope to get into your school's Martial Arts Program."
"Thank you, Mr. Misao," the teacher said. "Now let's begin. Open your history textbooks to the Preface, page XIII."
After reciting the national anthem on that page, they continued on to discuss the earliest history of Japan. Very little was known about Japan before things were altered by Chinese influence. There were a few historical sites and temples with claims to be before Chinese "corruption."
We studied the earliest origins of Shinto and the differences with modern belief. Finally, Ms. Kirasawi switched to math. Using the whiteboard each student was instructed to take a word problem written in Japanese and then solve it out using `Arabic` numerals.
I sighed in relief that my team had identified another language hidden in this world's mathematics, and I was trained on that as well. Quickly, I calculated 23 * 18 = 414.
The school's math instruction was pretty primitive. We jumped around practicing basics like these two digit multiplications, and then working with geometric figures, and then some very practical studies with a tape measure or estimating how many candies were in a small jar. She promised to give anyone a treat who guessed exactly the right answer.
Before long the class broke up, and several classes of students followed along into the stadium. While tiny compared to the public venues I was used to, it was an impressive stadium for a small school like this one.
After we were crowded in the stands, the Physical Fitness instructor amplified his voice and spoke. "Welcome to a new year, beginning again the pursuit of health. All students already classified by ability level, please come on down to the field, join your Group Leaders."
About a third of the students went down onto the field after that.
"Now, for those of you who do not know, we have minimum standards for students who wish to be part of the Physical Fitness program. Senior High students, you must reach a minimum standard of 5 kyu to stay in the program. Students between 1 and 5 kyu will join the Standard Senior High group. For those who reach more advanced levels, we have groups for 1-2 dan, 3 dan and our top student group for those who reach a 4 dan evaluation. So all 9th graders, and Senior High transfers, please come down for evaluation."
Kaji had told me before that most schools on planet weren't that focused on martial arts, the two hour block for Physical Fitness was quite rare. This was one of the school most focused on these arts on planet. Obviously they didn't have any knowledge or ability to train in Transcendent arts, but I still have Kaji to work on that.
Each student being evaluated sparred for a few minutes with one of the student assistants. It was a quick process, with five assistants, and each evaluation only took a minute or so. After 20 minutes, roughly half of those being evaluated were encouraged to train during their own time at home, and left the stadium. They hadn't reached 5 kyu grading he assumed.
Of the students who had reached that standard, some were directed to three student assistants that stood next to the teacher. Others joined the Standard senior high group right away.
A few of the new students were directed to the 1 and 2 dan training group, where the best student of the Senior High group had a chance to spar with the teacher himself.
But after another minute, that student was also directed to the 1 and 2 dan group. After that, Mr. Uesato spoke up again. "For our Junior High students, the minimum standard is an evaluation of 8 kyu. Those of you who reach the 5 kyu student in Junior High will be part of our Advanced Junior High group, and the other qualifiers will be part of the Standard Junior high group. If you have not been evaluated since entering Junior High, come on down."
After another twenty minutes, the Junior High students were evaluated.
"Lastly, 5th Grade is the youngest age we accept for the program. We are very strict in only accepting the top 5th graders. Those of you who don't make it today, remember, many Junior High students enter the program after not making it in their 5th grade year. It is really just an early training year for our most promising students. 5th graders, please come on down."
I followed our whole class as well as the other 5th grade classes as we went out onto the field. We joined the third of five lines as the same student assistants began sparring with students in front of us.
The assistants seemed to be quite quick and brutal considering the size different between them and the small fifth graders. While I was taller than normal for my grade, these assistants would still loom over me.
There were actually a few fifth graders who cried after being hit by the assistant's blows, but most of the students were silent.
After very quickly going through the students in front of me, I reached the assistant assigned to my line.
I bowed to the girl. "Get ready," she said, and then swiftly approached me and tried to strike my chest with her right palm.
My elbow collided with hers and her strike was adjusted just enough. I responded with a sweep with my right foot, trying to knock her off balance. She wobbled but adjusted her stance, overpowering my returning fist.
I couldn't overpower her volley of kicks, so I darted backwards, and then hit her left side with my right elbow, going past her.
The concentration of qi was a sign of the assistant escalating the fight. I controlled my power level, sticking to what Kaji had showed me was reasonable for a very talented but not ridiculous fifth grader.
The blurring fist of her qi powered blow was deflected by the energy shield formation I formed with quick hand seals.
We were in a tense standoff. Lightning currents were running between the girl's hands but she didn't unleash them yet.
I prepared my hand seals in case this girl's intentions were hostile. The 1st Technique of the Dragon was the least revealing offensive ability I had. I found myself translating mystic language into Japanese and finding that it was a reasonable language for explaining such abilities.
The girl unleashed lightning but the First Step of the Dragon devours lightning. The girl fell backwards. There was anger in her eyes.
"Enough!" Mr. Uesato said. "This student demonstrated enough skill to enter the Early Elementary Student's Group after 5 seconds. Step back, and your sensei will practice with the bright young student."
"Yes, sensei," the girl said. Lightning disappearing from her hands. She bowed and stepped back.
"Now let's see those hand seals. A rare ability even for Senior High students. We do have a few experts in the more esoteric ways of these seals."
The 1st Technique only took three seals, but they were very precise, and continuing the series into the 2nd Technique required immediately proceeding to use eight more seals.
I stuck to just the 1st Technique. My hands were wreathed in a fire that didn't hurt, but was composed of dozens of tiny sparks which could attack an enemy or deflect the enemy's own attacks.
"A fire technique in three seals? And a flexible one, make the fire wisps attack me," the teacher said.
I did as he said, and he had to step back to have enough time to deal with each of the fire wisps.
"Very impressive, and your name student?"
"Saionji Misao, sir," I said.
"I am restricted by the school board, but join the Early Elementary group. Also, I would like to speak with you after today's session. I have a pass for your teacher."
We had two Senior High students leading our Early Elementary group. From all the 5th grade classes, there were only 5 of us.
Surprisingly, this artist from my classroom, Ms. Takeyo, had also become part of this group. Truly, a girl skilled in multiple areas.
"Don't think about the fancy techniques you hear in stories. Start with our own school's Way of Discipline. When you can perform the first three katas, you can begin to specialize and study a unique art."
We went through a few very simple maneuvers, focusing on basics of footwork, movement of the body and hand position and movement.
Finally, the two hour session was done, and I went to speak with Mr. Uesato. He lead me into his office at the stadium.
"With power comes responsibility, Mr. Misao. I recognize the technique you used was just the first of a series. The way you immediately stopped, though you had an inclination to continue, gave it away. It is not my place to know how or why you learned a powerful style at such an early age, but Mr. Misao, it is my job to protect my students. Please don't use this series in my class. It is exceptionally difficult to dispel. Students won't be able to avoid it, and someone could be hurt badly.
"The only time you may use that technique is sparring with myself or other professionals, if we have specifically asked you to.
"And one more thing, Mr. Misao. While I can't officially assign you to the 1-2 dan group or any Junior High group, I would like to continue your training as our schedules permit. I will approach you in a few weeks after the early foolishness is dealt with."
"Thank you, Mr. Uesato," I said. "May I have the pass for my teacher?"
He wrote something up for me and I headed to lunch. The lunch room was quite full, and so I had to sit with a group of older students.
"Ms. Higashi lost her cool when this kid was able to respond to her attacks," one of the 10th graders said.
"The Ice Queen challenged by a fifth grader?" the girl sitting next to the first boy said.
Another girl said, "She was defeated by our class representative."
"Yeah, he's a legend, that still means she should be more than able to demolish even the world's best 5th grader."
"Hey kid, never saw you in the 4th grade fitness groups. This is the first we've heard about a superstar kid coming up," the first girl said.
"I'm a transfer,' I said. "Saionji Misao. It is good to meet you, senior students."
The boy was Ryosho. The only one of the group still in Mr. Uesato's class. The three girls were Misha, Totsushi (Tots) and Satsushi (Satsu).
"We do some training outside of school. Ryosho has taught us a few things, but we still keep him humble, don't we girls? You should come some time, if your parents are okay with it," Tots said.
"I live with my uncles, I'll see what they think. Let me know where and when."
Lunch was pretty awful. I was going to have Kaji bring something back from home, but I was delayed and never had a chance, plus I couldn't exactly eat a separate meal at a full table of students without attracting attention.
The afternoon lessons with Ms. Kirasawi were rather boring. Science lessons that were hundreds of years old. Really these lessons would maybe have been covered in History of Science. The lesson was at a very broad level, covering a summary of scientific areas, like Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Ms. Kirasawi said we would be getting into Chemistry in future sessions and doing some labs. To be cordial, I paid attention as much as I could, and even answered a question when the teacher asked.
After science there were a few minutes of local civics. They were encouraged to ask the road wardens for help if they had any trouble on the way home.
I met up with Kaji after school. We had purchased a house which was quite cheap in the local currency despite it's size. As we walked home, Kaji filled me in on his day.
"I wasn't around at lunch because I was pulled into the Headmistress' office and I had to explain myself. It's a matter of honesty and decorum but not revealing too much. I guess she thinks you are a son of one of the local Imperial family's cadet branches. Basically, akin to your second and third cousins. Of course, you would be under an assumed name. Your performance during the fitness evaluation confirmed that view in her mind.
"I got carried away," I said.
"This girl did too. The Headmistress confirmed the girl goes a bit overboard in everything she does. I will show you another attack series that should be more low key and appropriate for training with your juniors," he said.
"Teacher Uesato recognized that I was used the first attack in a series. I didn't tell him anything but he figured out as much."
"Impressive. Your martial arts teacher is perceptive, well at least you can use this training series. You shouldn't need more than the second step."
They separated from the wave of students as they turned down another street approaching their new home. It wasn't just students leaving the street alone, there was nobody on this street at all.
He heard the sound of someone muttering but couldn't find it's source.
* * *
Professor Tsuyame didn't usually travel in this part of the city. As second in command of the road wardens in addition to his research of Hostile Paranormal Entities, he guarded the boundaries of the safe routes to and from the college.
But he had heard someone bought the old mansion in the epicenter of the city's paranormal activity. His studies demanded he get close to the enemy, which meant he needed to be a strong martial artist in addition to scientist.
The first day of school wasn't just significant to students and parents, it was spiritually significant to the enemy. How many times have the unwary been caught out by the relative calm before the start of term? Countless times.
But here it was again, a battle between humans and malevolent beings, caused by the humans stepping away from the safe roadways.
Sometimes the strongest fighters had the biggest stumbling blocks when it came to safety, and he decided that was the case as he came upon the two of them.
The adult caused massive emanations in the force lines as he destroyed smaller spirits one after another, keeping them away from the child. His techniques were lightning aligned.
Foolishly, while he fought the lesser beings, the child fought a greater spirit, something akin to a coyote, the monster snapped his jaws at the boy, and was only barely resisted with a whole technique series.
Fire tattoos glowed on the boy's forehead and on both arms. Spouts of flame blasted the Coyote, and the spirit responded by empowering it's bite still further, and then howling.
"Only until the fifth step, --" the man shouted, and then turned to him. "Who are you?"
"I am Professor Tsuyame with the road wardens, I'm here to help you escape the malevolent spirits. I have some questions after we get back to safety."
The man turned and once again destroyed a wave of minor spirits with his arts.
Professor Tsuyame rushed forward, speaking briefly to the boy. "Go!"
The man finally spoke as the Professor began dissolving the spirit's tether in existence.
"I am Kajihara Nakata, and this is Misao Saionji."
It took only a few applications of the shielding charm, and he had the greater spirit displaced from existence.
Nakata and the boy, Sai, had proceeded to clear the way to retreat, and Professor Tsuyame lead them back away from the danger zone into safety. A couple of spirits even followed into the safe zone, and Tsuyame knew he would have to have a serious conversation with the Chief Warden about increasing patrols in this area and rearranging the safe corridor.
There wasn't a lot of foot traffic where the spirits had impinged on the safe zone, so he retreated with the two to a diner nearby.
As they waited for their food, he asked the two why they were off the safe zone.
The boy spoke up, "I am a bit of a Martial Arts hobbyist. So my uncles researched and found the school here was the best martial arts school in the world. Today was my first day of course.
Last week, we walked back and forth down the same road a dozen times. My uncles' servants went out to get food and supplies for the house, and no one reported any issues. We had heard about the dangers, but we didn't realize it was so serious."
"And this house was outside the safe zone?" the Professor asked.
"We found the place when we were looking for housing in the city. It was a reasonable size for our needs, and less expensive than the other options. We had a little trouble converting our currency at first, so we don't have as much Yen as we originally hoped. The place fit."
"And is this the place?" the Professor asked, showing a polaroid picture.
He could tell from their reactions that it was. The idiots had just doomed themselves. At least the boy was safe.
"Are there any other children in your family here?" he asked. If there was a child in danger at the epicenter, he would take a risk and go in, not before asking for lots of backup of course.
"No other children. My two uncles, and seven personal staff, plus Kaji, chief of security, I guess you could call them."
The boy had seven servants working for him, and not random people but highly skilled? This Kaji's ability to deal with swarming spirits would give him a sure job with the Road wardens or any other organization.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but unless you have one of the five best martial artists in the world, and three other paranormalists of ability akin to my one, your family and staff are probably dead already."
He was grim. Though he spoke matter-of-factly, he did not make light of any losses to the evil spirits.
"My uncles did not pursue such arts. They are masters of business. Is there anything you can do Kajihara," the boy asked.
"What sorts of threats would our people face at the house?"
"It is a local epicenter of malevolent spirits. Foes much greater then the one Student Misao fought are there," the professor said.
"I am sorry, Little Star. There is nothing we can do. We missed a Class B threat in our survey, and we didn't prepare anything for paranormal threats."
"Stay safe, and keep to the safe roads. Follow the wardens' instructions," he said.
"Thank you, Professor," the boy and his `chief of security` said.
When he got back to headquarters, he reported in to his boss.
"What do you have to report Professor Tsuyame?"
"I have rescued two people. They were off the safe roads. Both of them were skilled martial artists. At least 5 dan by my reckoning."
"What's their excuse?" his boss asked.
"New arrivals. The manor has changed hands again. And most likely, the boy's parents were killed after the spirits showed up for start of term.
"What's this about a boy?"
"One of the two we rescued was a child, maybe 13 or 14? The adult was fighting the minor spirits while the boy fought a major coyote spirit until I intervened."
"A true prodigy."
"The adult told me they had sought out the best Martial Arts primary school and found our school."
"I will keep watch on the school. Find one of your subordinates to watch over the college, and I want you to investigate what will happen next with the manor. How do they keep putting that manor on the market. It's an increasing amount of blood on our hands if we can't get that place off the listings.
"Yes sir."
* * *
Most of our money was back at the house, the house we couldn't get to. Our fleet communicator was also there. And the people, servants I had known since I was little. And my uncles.
Losing Sumi and Kesaimi, that hit me hardest. And if we needed to go back, how would we communicate with the fleet? If they had feared anything like this, Kaji would have insisted on a regular check in policy with the elite. This was a Class B threat. Not an assassin, but an unforseen danger that truly put them in peril. They would never have come here at all if they knew about it.
Spirits of that kind had been purged from the Kingdom for hundreds of years. To encounter that old danger here, was odd and terrifying.
Sumi and Kesaimi were friends. They were older than him, in their early twenties, but young enough that they could interact and joke without being so formal.
"What if we used Transcendent power, rescue whoever is still alive, and then leave. We can figure out other classes on a world that isn't cursed," I asked Kaji.
"The fleet is too far out. By the time we get here we'll be drowning in assassins and enemy fleets," Kaji said. "You know I wasn't trained for gentleness. You have to take this situation like a soldier, discipline yourself and get revenge. Your Highness, I think we will shape you into a worthy king. You have a mission now, to end these spirits."
"I asked for a challenge. To learn and grow in Martial Arts. Sumi and Kesaimi had some other training in mind, but my focus will have to be on these arts," I reasoned.
"I need some time to steady myself," I told Kaji.
"I will have to think on our next steps. We will need money to find a new place to stay. I might have to work with the locals to pay our way through the next few years.
"There will be some benefit in this for you too, Uncle."
* * *
It was a frantic morning as we used the last of our funds to rent a few weeks of room and board at the hotel and get a few simple changes of clothing for each of us.
Staying busy was suitable for me, it kept me from getting mired in my thoughts. I had to keep going for now. Morning classes were not my focus, I let the information come in, and I would work on the two assignments I received tonight, but I was focused on the two hours of Fitness.
I was surprised when I was pulled aside as I was headed with our class over to the stadium
"Mr. Misao, are you aware of the spiritual emanations caused by emotion."
"Vaguely. Spiritual emanations?" I said.
"It's only in extreme cases, but yes. These emanations are a sign my office uses to help those who need counseling. Please follow me," she said.
"But I was headed to the stadium for my fitness class," I said, protesting.
"Come with me, Mr. Misao. Trying to avoid facing your emotions by staying busy, especially with exercise and martial minded hobbies, isn't going to help. I've unfortunately seen it many times."
Reluctantly I followed the staff member to her office.
"I am Assistant Counselor Hara. I'm here to listen, whenever."
I didn't have anything to say at first.
"I've seen a lot of kids not say anything, just holding it all in. The ones who talk recover a lot better."
"I grew up knowing about death. My mother died six months after my father. It took a long time to find people I could trust. Sami and Kesaimi, I could trust them. We can't even bury them."
"Did you know about the safe zones and safe roads when you came here?" the counselor asked.
Really I was letting it all get to me in front of other people. That was embarrassing. I had to be better for my people.
"No. We heard about dangers but we had seen warnings for many of the places we checked, so we just thought it was local fears, and we would be able to deal with whatever we encountered."
"The city needs to do everything to make the dangers more apparent. This happens multiple times a year, unfortunately. Not always with someone going to the school here, but often. Your home was outside the safe zone, and it was attacked by the spirits?"
"Kaji and I encountered the spirits on the way to our new house. We had been there for a few days prior with no trouble, but yesterday, we were suddenly faced with a lot of spirits. Hundreds of minor spirits and a major spirit.
Professor Tsuyame arrived, and helped us escape from the swarm. He said there was no way we could reach our house without a huge group of the best martial artists in town. So we had to go rent a hotel room last night. A lot of our money was in that house too.
Sumi and Kesaimi were two members of my personal staff. My uncle was there also. He was in charge of the household. And there were other personal staff, cooks, people to look after Uncle and myself. Now Kaji is going to look for work so we can pay for a place to live."
"I know the Professor quite well. If he was involved, this was no minor incursion of spirits around your house. Mr. Kaji should spend some time at the college studying warding. It is an important subject regionally, to know how to protect your home. There are many passive ways to defend the home from spirits, in addition to active techniques. The Japanese board of tourism really should warn about this region."
"I wanted to go home, but we don't have any quick way to do that, and Kaji convinced me to work harder, to make something out of a bad thing. So that's why I want to go to Fitness."
"Come back tomorrow also, and then maybe we'll find a different time of day for counseling. This is not a minor thing, Mr. Misao. Losing family and friends is not something you'll get over in a few days.
* * *
Mr. Uesato stormed into the head counselor's office. "You pulled my newest star out of class? Who do you think you are?"
He leaned against the woman's desk. She was just a staff person. Unless the Headmistress approved it, he would release Student Misao from the Counseling department. They would otherwise hold onto students for months, keeping them away from important classes, including his own.
"Did you hear about the battle near Hondou road yesterday? Hundreds of minor spirits defeated, and a coyote-type major spirit."
"What does that have to do with this?" he asked.
"Student Misao and his security detail defeated most of those," the counselor said.
"All the more reason to continue the young student's training."
"They say they were headed to a house they just purchased last week," she said.
"during the Calm -- The manor, those idiots. Why do the strongest students have the worst parents?"
"We don't know it was the manor, but according to what I've heard, the battle Student Misao was in was just the outermost region of a massive conflagration of spirits. Whoever was still at the manner is surely dead now."
"And so, Student Misao needs counseling."
"In some ways, he is doing quite well, all things considered. I will reach out to the city about his situation."
***
I actually got to the cafeteria on time, and ended up sitting with three girls in my class. They invited me to sit there.
One of them was Ms. Takeyo the other girl from class in my fitness group.
Ms. Ueyemi, Ms. Picard (an odd name I thought), and Ms. Mitikihara were the other three girls.
"Fighting the Ice Queen, are you really a fifth grader?" Ueyemi asked.
Takeyo ignored her saying, "we've got a little training group going, if you want to stop by sometime."
First the senior high students and now fifth graders. Did every friend group have a sparring club?
"We've been calling her the Phantasm, Takeyo can make her art real, and just a fifth grader and now we have to come up with a nickname for you?" Picard said.
"You don't have to," I said.
I had fought the spirits the day before so it didn't take more than a moment to recognize the cause of the sudden disturbance. A girl dropped her lunch tray, but it wasn't clumsiness.
Palace of the Goddess Beyond
- Location
- Michigan
It was hard to understand the Q Perception sense. She had trained on it with only one positive example, the Guardian of their community, and a sea of negative examples. With the guardian, it felt like a pinprick of pain combined with the way your eyes feel when you sneeze or throw up. It was a weird example for a weird feeling.
She was used to the light flaring inside the inner room when someone arrived. It flashed brighter than normal, causing her to look away, and then collapse on the floor in bizarre agony. If the Guardian was a 2 on the Q scale, this new arrival was off the scale.
Already in a prone position due to the discomfort that was fading, she stayed that way, submitting to the mighty arriving Goddess. The woman's ankles were exposed, they had not been perfected but retained a natural woman's dark tanned coloring. The woman's slipper-shod feet were right in front of her face. Purple, with tiny white fuzzy bunnies on the front of the slipper.
"Ahew, that was a close one," said the Goddess. Inexplicable, this monumentally powerful individual was catching her breath.
She was actually sweating? Did superbeings actually sweat?
"Please, stand. I am a mere caretaker for a troublesome toddler," the Goddess said.
The woman's voice was much more akin to the well-purified styles of the Goddesses she had encountered. She spoke with a smooth sweetness.
Standing up, the Sister examined the Goddess who had overwhelmed her Q sense. Other than the purple slippers, she wore white pants and shirt that seemed to carry that same fuzzy softness. They were off white with a tint of pale blue. Had this Goddess been disturbed in the night in whatever Heavenly realm she came from?
"Welcome to Requiem. We are a restful community for exiles and vacationers of all Cosmic and Heavenly Powers. You are standing in the Palace of the Goddess Beyond, where all who consider themselves women arrive. In view of your Exalted being, the Palace would offer you a place to stay while you get your bearings."
"I assume the Tower is present here. May I receive a summary of the politics of this place so I can find a place at peace," the Goddess said. She seemed to be seeing more people who were even more powerful than her.
"I will have the men at the God's Hall check to see if any of your stature have arrived. I am afraid we haven't heard of the Tower. I can't compare the everyday arrivals with your Magnificent Grace. You are vastly more powerful than them, even in your reduced form which allows you to exist in this puny Earthly realm."
The Goddess stepped towards me and turned towards the door she had come out of.
"Another arrival," I said.
The nearly omnipotent women (by my own reckoning in 7 years of receiving powerful people) was scared of who would walk through that door.
The new arrival was of the Tengi people, common in this community. The Tengi treated Requiem as a nice vacation place, whereas most of the more powerful arrivals seemed to be exiles. The less powerful were comfortable while the more powerful were nervous, this would seem to be an inversion of the natural, but her observations had matched it.
"Why do you not kneel before me, herald!" shouted the new woman as she had been standing their for a moment.
She was looking at the Goddess. "Should I kneel?" asked the Goddess.
I looked at the Goddess, she couldn't tell? "This one is a common member of the Tengi. She should kneel before you, your grace," I said.
The Tengi arrival turned to me. "I'll remember that."
"You should know your way around. Be leaving this place soon. I would offend you ten million times before I offend the Goddess once."
With the Tengi woman gone, I turned back to the Goddess.
"You don't have to act like I'm something special. I just asked the transmigrator to take me somewhere even he wouldn't know. Everyone around me was more powerful than I. I am only a few weeks into the 2nd step on the Tower. I tried to keep up with the toddler, but I couldn't. This kid was breaking into the Divine forges to get more supplies for his toy box. I'm sure the child will be a marvelous crafter, if only someone can keep him under control. I couldn't."
It truly was odd. If she had not been respected by those who knew her, I would make a point to respect her.
"I will show you to your room, Goddess."
The respite of the Goddess had not been used since the Guardian brought a friend to visit this place decades ago.
~~~
The Goddess went into town all morning. the Sister had gone in to clean up.
Sister Miriam was eating a simple lunch when she returned.
Cleaning up her meal, she sat with the mighty woman as she regaled with stories.
"This Tengi, as you have called them, they were dismissive of me. Said I was too weak to serve as their children's nanny."
"You sought to serve the Tengi? They cannot touch your sandal straps milady. Their senses are to crude to recognize your majesty. Please consider this time to be a vacation. There is no need to go seeking employment."
"Other than the Tengi what communities are there here?" she asked.
"The Tengi are the lowest stratum. According to Requiem's guardian, their power on the Universal Scale is more than 10 times base humanity, less than 100 times. Thus the name. I found the Hundredgi a more respectful people, Requiem is less known to them, and those who do arrive are sometimes exiles or simply looking for a rustic retreat. The Miligi are a small community of only a few dozen, mostly exiles. Those of the higher orders are very rare and always exiles, they tend to gather with the Miligi. The greatest arrivals of Earth realm were some Peak Earth realm arrivals of the Centillion-gi order. But our guardian is greater than even them, being from the 2nd sphere of the Divine realm. It was he that gave us a way to detect Divine spheres. Your sphere must be vastly greater. If you compare a Centillion-gi to a Ten-gi, so you are that much stronger than our guardian.
You don't need to worry about serving anyone here. We should serve you instead. I recommend taking some time to relax and enjoy Requiem."
"I will rest then. What sort of vacation will I find here?"
"We have white sand beaches along the sea, quiet mountain hideaways for solitude. Our restaurants and gift shops have been rated highly by many travelers. There are many sisters of my order who would love to tour with you.
I have to serve here and great our new arrivals, otherwise I would come along."
---
There was no other job for her after she ran away from taking care of the toddler. What servant had the right to quit her service? It would be better to live out her life here in obscurity than return. She had never heard of anything like this place called the requiem.
She was only at the first step beyond mortality on the tower, and five minor steps in. Her employer was at the fifth step and even the todder was a hundred minor steps ahead of her. And yet here, her progress on the tower was seen as beyond everyone else. The transmigrator had truly done his job well, and found a very hidden, mortal realm.
No kids to chase after, no one to grovel to. She had a hard time relaxing on he beach, but finally started to settle in.
"What makes you think you can despoil our beach, slave?"
She heard the man's voice as he kicked sand at her.
What exactly was he doing, she wondered. She sat up as the man tried to pick her up, but somehow he was feeble and wasn't able to move her.
"That's not appropriate," she said. She stood up, clearing sand off of her.
The idiot punched her, raving about how he was ruining their beach community. Well, he tried to punch her. It felt like a soft fuzzy teddy bear brushing up against her shoulder.
"I'm going," she said. "I don't want to deal with you either."
The culture of this Requiem was weird. The man wouldn't give up. She didn't think anything of it, but she put her arm up to keep him away, and the slight motion sent him tumbling to the ground. What kind of weakling was he?
She spotted one of these Sisters, friends of the woman who had received her when she arrived on Requiem.
"Goddess, this is a public Tengi beach, we have much nicer private beaches, if you wouldn't mind I'll take you," she said.
"Of course," Jan nodded. At least she'd get away from these weird weakling men.
The woman, this Sister, was quite trim, pale of skin like everyone she had seen. Her first instinct was that everyone here was ill, but it seemed having pale skin was desirable to the locals. They wanted to relax in the sun but stay pale?
Her old employer preferred a more chocolate toned servant, but Jan's long experience with kids had won her the hellish job of chasing that kid around.
"There's a full selection of cocktails and beach-style food options, if you want anything," the Sister said.
"I haven't ate mortal food in how long?" she pondered.
Decades at least. Kids were usually transitioned to higher forms of nutrition by the time she came in, so she never snacked off the kid's plates. She had her own daily pills, and the kids had something customized for their needs. Sometimes getting them to take their daily regimen was tricky.
"What would you like?" the Sister asked.
"Something light and simple to start, I guess," she said. She only had a few weeks of pills on her, so she would need to transition to mortal food eventually.
While the first beach had been nice, the new one seemed to be glistening, and there were cabanas separated by hundreds of feet from each other, and each cabana had plenty of pristine sand around it, and room to get in the water too if she wanted to.
She relaxed in the shade of the cabana for a bit before the sister brought back a plate of vegetables and a few small pieces of some kind of meat.
She spend the rest of the afternoon into evening at the beach, and then tried to retrace her steps to the Palace.
---
She recognized the guardian of Requiem immediately, knowing she must have gone the wrong way. He had turned towards her, recognizing something unusual as well.
Everyone on Requiem was on the first Mortal step of the Tower, and they hadn't even taken their first microstep either. Except for the guardian. He was two micro steps into the Mortal realm / first step. She had been at his power level when she was four. The toddler from hell was probably only 6 months old when he reached the second microstep.
"Madam, good evening," he said, approaching. "How did you find out about our little Requiem?"
"I asked someone to help in getting away. He arranged all the vacations and retreats for my employer. I asked himt o find a place where I could hide. I don't know how he found Requiem."
"Most people here are still progressing in the Finite realm. I discovered this place when it was just a retreat for the Tengi. I've gone infinite twice. Discovering that the first infinity wasn't enough was a shock. But how many times have you gone infinite?"
"I was still a young child when I left the Mortal Realm. I guess everyone else here is in an even lower realm: Finite realm, let's call it. And after your first infinity, then you became part of the Mortal realm. Crossing the Finite threshold gradually becomes your normal cultivation method. Tenfold infinites, hundredfold, and on you go, until you transcend the ascensions, and go infinite infinities. That is the first step into the Sky realm."
"An infinity of infinities..." he muttered. "Miracle my Q-scale didn't explode. Do you expect to see anyone else from this Sky realm here?"
"If I do, it's probably my boss trying to hunt me down. I hope not."
~
This one was inspired by the idea of making cultivation stages corresponding to Ordinal numbers. Jan is at cultivation stage Omega ^2 * 5. The guardian is at Omega * 2, and everyone else at Requiem is just a finite stage. The toddler is probably something like Omega^2 * 120, and her boss was Omega^5.
My idea for realms would be
Finite Realm - Finite Ordinals / Finite Power Levels
Earth Realm - from Omega to Omega * N + M
Sky Realm - from Omega ^2 to Omega ^ Omega ^ Omega ^ ...
"Epsilion" Realm - all the Epsilon ordinals.
And then beyond that you could have a realm for the Uncountable ordinals, I don't know much about them.
She was used to the light flaring inside the inner room when someone arrived. It flashed brighter than normal, causing her to look away, and then collapse on the floor in bizarre agony. If the Guardian was a 2 on the Q scale, this new arrival was off the scale.
Already in a prone position due to the discomfort that was fading, she stayed that way, submitting to the mighty arriving Goddess. The woman's ankles were exposed, they had not been perfected but retained a natural woman's dark tanned coloring. The woman's slipper-shod feet were right in front of her face. Purple, with tiny white fuzzy bunnies on the front of the slipper.
"Ahew, that was a close one," said the Goddess. Inexplicable, this monumentally powerful individual was catching her breath.
She was actually sweating? Did superbeings actually sweat?
"Please, stand. I am a mere caretaker for a troublesome toddler," the Goddess said.
The woman's voice was much more akin to the well-purified styles of the Goddesses she had encountered. She spoke with a smooth sweetness.
Standing up, the Sister examined the Goddess who had overwhelmed her Q sense. Other than the purple slippers, she wore white pants and shirt that seemed to carry that same fuzzy softness. They were off white with a tint of pale blue. Had this Goddess been disturbed in the night in whatever Heavenly realm she came from?
"Welcome to Requiem. We are a restful community for exiles and vacationers of all Cosmic and Heavenly Powers. You are standing in the Palace of the Goddess Beyond, where all who consider themselves women arrive. In view of your Exalted being, the Palace would offer you a place to stay while you get your bearings."
"I assume the Tower is present here. May I receive a summary of the politics of this place so I can find a place at peace," the Goddess said. She seemed to be seeing more people who were even more powerful than her.
"I will have the men at the God's Hall check to see if any of your stature have arrived. I am afraid we haven't heard of the Tower. I can't compare the everyday arrivals with your Magnificent Grace. You are vastly more powerful than them, even in your reduced form which allows you to exist in this puny Earthly realm."
The Goddess stepped towards me and turned towards the door she had come out of.
"Another arrival," I said.
The nearly omnipotent women (by my own reckoning in 7 years of receiving powerful people) was scared of who would walk through that door.
The new arrival was of the Tengi people, common in this community. The Tengi treated Requiem as a nice vacation place, whereas most of the more powerful arrivals seemed to be exiles. The less powerful were comfortable while the more powerful were nervous, this would seem to be an inversion of the natural, but her observations had matched it.
"Why do you not kneel before me, herald!" shouted the new woman as she had been standing their for a moment.
She was looking at the Goddess. "Should I kneel?" asked the Goddess.
I looked at the Goddess, she couldn't tell? "This one is a common member of the Tengi. She should kneel before you, your grace," I said.
The Tengi arrival turned to me. "I'll remember that."
"You should know your way around. Be leaving this place soon. I would offend you ten million times before I offend the Goddess once."
With the Tengi woman gone, I turned back to the Goddess.
"You don't have to act like I'm something special. I just asked the transmigrator to take me somewhere even he wouldn't know. Everyone around me was more powerful than I. I am only a few weeks into the 2nd step on the Tower. I tried to keep up with the toddler, but I couldn't. This kid was breaking into the Divine forges to get more supplies for his toy box. I'm sure the child will be a marvelous crafter, if only someone can keep him under control. I couldn't."
It truly was odd. If she had not been respected by those who knew her, I would make a point to respect her.
"I will show you to your room, Goddess."
The respite of the Goddess had not been used since the Guardian brought a friend to visit this place decades ago.
~~~
The Goddess went into town all morning. the Sister had gone in to clean up.
Sister Miriam was eating a simple lunch when she returned.
Cleaning up her meal, she sat with the mighty woman as she regaled with stories.
"This Tengi, as you have called them, they were dismissive of me. Said I was too weak to serve as their children's nanny."
"You sought to serve the Tengi? They cannot touch your sandal straps milady. Their senses are to crude to recognize your majesty. Please consider this time to be a vacation. There is no need to go seeking employment."
"Other than the Tengi what communities are there here?" she asked.
"The Tengi are the lowest stratum. According to Requiem's guardian, their power on the Universal Scale is more than 10 times base humanity, less than 100 times. Thus the name. I found the Hundredgi a more respectful people, Requiem is less known to them, and those who do arrive are sometimes exiles or simply looking for a rustic retreat. The Miligi are a small community of only a few dozen, mostly exiles. Those of the higher orders are very rare and always exiles, they tend to gather with the Miligi. The greatest arrivals of Earth realm were some Peak Earth realm arrivals of the Centillion-gi order. But our guardian is greater than even them, being from the 2nd sphere of the Divine realm. It was he that gave us a way to detect Divine spheres. Your sphere must be vastly greater. If you compare a Centillion-gi to a Ten-gi, so you are that much stronger than our guardian.
You don't need to worry about serving anyone here. We should serve you instead. I recommend taking some time to relax and enjoy Requiem."
"I will rest then. What sort of vacation will I find here?"
"We have white sand beaches along the sea, quiet mountain hideaways for solitude. Our restaurants and gift shops have been rated highly by many travelers. There are many sisters of my order who would love to tour with you.
I have to serve here and great our new arrivals, otherwise I would come along."
---
There was no other job for her after she ran away from taking care of the toddler. What servant had the right to quit her service? It would be better to live out her life here in obscurity than return. She had never heard of anything like this place called the requiem.
She was only at the first step beyond mortality on the tower, and five minor steps in. Her employer was at the fifth step and even the todder was a hundred minor steps ahead of her. And yet here, her progress on the tower was seen as beyond everyone else. The transmigrator had truly done his job well, and found a very hidden, mortal realm.
No kids to chase after, no one to grovel to. She had a hard time relaxing on he beach, but finally started to settle in.
"What makes you think you can despoil our beach, slave?"
She heard the man's voice as he kicked sand at her.
What exactly was he doing, she wondered. She sat up as the man tried to pick her up, but somehow he was feeble and wasn't able to move her.
"That's not appropriate," she said. She stood up, clearing sand off of her.
The idiot punched her, raving about how he was ruining their beach community. Well, he tried to punch her. It felt like a soft fuzzy teddy bear brushing up against her shoulder.
"I'm going," she said. "I don't want to deal with you either."
The culture of this Requiem was weird. The man wouldn't give up. She didn't think anything of it, but she put her arm up to keep him away, and the slight motion sent him tumbling to the ground. What kind of weakling was he?
She spotted one of these Sisters, friends of the woman who had received her when she arrived on Requiem.
"Goddess, this is a public Tengi beach, we have much nicer private beaches, if you wouldn't mind I'll take you," she said.
"Of course," Jan nodded. At least she'd get away from these weird weakling men.
The woman, this Sister, was quite trim, pale of skin like everyone she had seen. Her first instinct was that everyone here was ill, but it seemed having pale skin was desirable to the locals. They wanted to relax in the sun but stay pale?
Her old employer preferred a more chocolate toned servant, but Jan's long experience with kids had won her the hellish job of chasing that kid around.
"There's a full selection of cocktails and beach-style food options, if you want anything," the Sister said.
"I haven't ate mortal food in how long?" she pondered.
Decades at least. Kids were usually transitioned to higher forms of nutrition by the time she came in, so she never snacked off the kid's plates. She had her own daily pills, and the kids had something customized for their needs. Sometimes getting them to take their daily regimen was tricky.
"What would you like?" the Sister asked.
"Something light and simple to start, I guess," she said. She only had a few weeks of pills on her, so she would need to transition to mortal food eventually.
While the first beach had been nice, the new one seemed to be glistening, and there were cabanas separated by hundreds of feet from each other, and each cabana had plenty of pristine sand around it, and room to get in the water too if she wanted to.
She relaxed in the shade of the cabana for a bit before the sister brought back a plate of vegetables and a few small pieces of some kind of meat.
She spend the rest of the afternoon into evening at the beach, and then tried to retrace her steps to the Palace.
---
She recognized the guardian of Requiem immediately, knowing she must have gone the wrong way. He had turned towards her, recognizing something unusual as well.
Everyone on Requiem was on the first Mortal step of the Tower, and they hadn't even taken their first microstep either. Except for the guardian. He was two micro steps into the Mortal realm / first step. She had been at his power level when she was four. The toddler from hell was probably only 6 months old when he reached the second microstep.
"Madam, good evening," he said, approaching. "How did you find out about our little Requiem?"
"I asked someone to help in getting away. He arranged all the vacations and retreats for my employer. I asked himt o find a place where I could hide. I don't know how he found Requiem."
"Most people here are still progressing in the Finite realm. I discovered this place when it was just a retreat for the Tengi. I've gone infinite twice. Discovering that the first infinity wasn't enough was a shock. But how many times have you gone infinite?"
"I was still a young child when I left the Mortal Realm. I guess everyone else here is in an even lower realm: Finite realm, let's call it. And after your first infinity, then you became part of the Mortal realm. Crossing the Finite threshold gradually becomes your normal cultivation method. Tenfold infinites, hundredfold, and on you go, until you transcend the ascensions, and go infinite infinities. That is the first step into the Sky realm."
"An infinity of infinities..." he muttered. "Miracle my Q-scale didn't explode. Do you expect to see anyone else from this Sky realm here?"
"If I do, it's probably my boss trying to hunt me down. I hope not."
~
This one was inspired by the idea of making cultivation stages corresponding to Ordinal numbers. Jan is at cultivation stage Omega ^2 * 5. The guardian is at Omega * 2, and everyone else at Requiem is just a finite stage. The toddler is probably something like Omega^2 * 120, and her boss was Omega^5.
My idea for realms would be
Finite Realm - Finite Ordinals / Finite Power Levels
Earth Realm - from Omega to Omega * N + M
Sky Realm - from Omega ^2 to Omega ^ Omega ^ Omega ^ ...
"Epsilion" Realm - all the Epsilon ordinals.
And then beyond that you could have a realm for the Uncountable ordinals, I don't know much about them.
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Mothership
- Location
- Michigan
Republic Army Naval Operations Training Center was a mouthful.
I knew why army naval was a term used. A brutal succession war amongst the hereditary lineages of Admirals had lead the army and the people to team up and resist.
They would have been destroyed if my mom and her flagship, the HRH Marilyn II had not come to their rescue.
Active Copyright Protection destroyed all naval designs once Mom's turn to the Republic became known.
I would not be a princess. My mom was allowed to continue to bear the title in recognition of her contribution to the Republic's survival.
We had the flagship, two Duchess class vessels and 3 light cruisers, and none of them could be replaced.
From the Army databanks Mom and the Army brass had jury-rigged the CT 20, an Infantry space mobile armored flight suit. After that, the faster and more armored JB 50, and there were two wings of fighting vehicles that were made space mobile.
Only five of the space mobile main battle tank were produced. All of these army transplants would fail if they were asked to take down a capital ship but they were reasonable solutions against small enemy craft. For the capital ship combat they had to stick to their small fleet.
I'd only seen the smaller cruisers deployed to ward off piracy. They were flying into unknown territory, putting some distance from the enemy and their 3 million civilians onboard the five ships.
Flagships were designed for a significant passenger manifest, but the other four ships, with a fraction of the people onboard, were cramped.
But, anyway, the training center, I was qualifying in all of the combat vessels of the republic, from the CT flight suit, to a staff position on Marilyn II.
The ship's namesake was my great-great-grandmother, actually.
The CT 20 had two hand lasers and a heavy particle cannon firing from chest position, small jets at each limb allowed for quick maneuvering. Unfortunately it was confusion and disorienting. The CT moved slowly, if nimbly and getting into range of its weapons seemed suicidal in the training scenario.
Final Evaluation:
CT 20 - 30/100
JB 50 - 45/100
BK 100 - 12/100
JA 250 - 68/100
Capital Ship Piloting - 65/100
Capital Ship Weapons - 76/100
Capital Ship Major Systems - 58/100
Capital Ship Command - 82/100
"Grades are given based on our professional standards. An 82 would be third highest this year for students in Command," mom said.
"We haven't fired a shot since I was 3. The cruisers and army vessels have taken all of them for us," I said.
"I don't want to see you in a suit, or a tank, but I'm ok if you want to learn onboard the Eva Marie."
"My cousin's already Lieutenant Commander there."
The Captain's suite onboard the Marilyn II was designed for royalty. We were in the smaller private family dining room in the suite.
Still the chandeliers were gaudy, and the candle holders ornate.
I couldn't hear the page, but I knew my mom's presence was requested.
If I could convince mom to transfer me to the Lucille Ann, that would be ok.
*
"We have detected active scans from one or more unknown sources in the past hour," General Samuel told her.
"Any detections on our passive sensors?"
"No your highness. We will continue to search but I recommend to keep listening and not broadcasting for now."
The Command Bridge was located two decks below the Sovereign bridge, where the President, General and herself decided on policy. On the Command Bridge they commanded Fleet operations and Flagship tactical maneuvers.
The General was in operational command overall but it was her ship, so there was always some tension during operatuons.
"I think we should form scout lances, Take a squadron of CTs, a few heavy suits in support and take a look," she said.
"If it's pirates we need tank backup. I'll deploy three lances with an MBT each in support."
"That's pretty heavy for a scout lance…"
*
Space Tanks had an extra person in the cockpit compared to their terrestrial counterparts: the observer was necessary to take in the 3D views in space.
Markus first spotted the sleek spacecraft when it was only twenty miles away from the lance. It wasn't a recognizable Admiralty or Pirate design. The CT suits needed to group their fire on the target.
"Lance 16-U, all units, counter-strike authorization on my Target Beta Six! Fire if the bogey so much as waves a laser pointer at you." He shouted on comms.
He pumped his fists as the fighter came into the light battle suits' range, and was obliterated seconds after it began firing on one of the suits.
All suit shields were holding on his flight. Then saw three more fighters. "Fire at will!"
The enemy's weapons were not very effective against the suits, yet alone against his shields. But the unknown enemy sure did have a lot of them.
They pulled back towards the Marilyn, while maximizing weapon power to shoot as many enemy targets down as they could.
He even fired his own auto cannons, blasting the enemies apart in one second bursts.
Something much higher caliber nearly overcame his shields, and then another shot caused the tank to shudder and spin out of position.
"Lance 16-U to HRH Marilyn, we've taken hits from unknown enemy vessel(s). Definitely something bigger than Alpha Bravo, command. Advise?"
Targeting information streamed into his systems but the target was out of his effective range by many kilometers. Enemy frigates forming an old fashioned battle line, where firing on all three deployed tanks.
*
Anna Marie, Lucille Anne pursue and destroy targets Gamma 1-12. Enemy frigates. Effective firepower seems low for a frigate but assume that may change.
"You might want to deploy Duchess Gwyneth," Princess Evelyn suggested.
The stuck-in-the clouds navy believed in deploying all of your weapons at once for a devastating alpha strike, but General Samuel believed in reserves after a lifetime of seeing fools commit all their forces to a breakout.
The Duchess-class ships and most of all, the Marilyn, where their ultimate strategic reserves. He would wait to deploy the Gwyneth. The third cruiser, the Brett Cole, would be deployed instead.
The enemy frigates were numerous but completely unshielded. It stung to lose two tanks, but their cruisers were cutting down the frigates almost as fast as they could get targeting solutions.
"Withdraw all CT class assets, deploy JB squadrons 6 and 9. Deploy Commander Martin's berserkers."
Anna Marie to Command, we just were hit by another unknown ship classification. Target Delta Tango 2. Target is at maximum range of our own weapons, permission to fire?
"Jesus," he said off comms. "Deploy Duchess Gwyneth, all cap prioritize Delta Tango 2 and any target of its class. Maximum effective range.
Army assets, attack enemy frigates once in range.
The analysis and planning 3D hologram showed best guesses as to the state of the fight.
Their army assets were taking losses approaching the frigate line while the enemy capital ships focused fire on the Anna Marie.
The cruiser was only lightly damaged. There was some concern for life support and passenger support, but there was no time to stop for such considerations.
The three cruisers were almost in range of the new targets. There was no visual identification yet, only high freq EM targeting.
The Gwyneth had already obliterated one of the enemy capital ships. And then the cruisers got into range and the cluster of enemy capital ships began to collapse.
They took down a few more heavy suits and berserker crafts but were unable to heavily damage the Anna Marie.
*
"We don't even know who they are and we've already had a major engagement," President Paulson was not happy.
"They began firing on our scouts immediately. There was no attempt at an exchange of information. We encountered only military vessels the entire time.
Their production capacity must be massive but their designs lack sufficient armoring or any shielding. Their capital ships had less durability than our cruisers. But how many others they have squirreled away, we don't know." General Samuel said.
"I have to review some resettlement requests." There was a bit of damage to habitation on the Anna Maria.
I knew why army naval was a term used. A brutal succession war amongst the hereditary lineages of Admirals had lead the army and the people to team up and resist.
They would have been destroyed if my mom and her flagship, the HRH Marilyn II had not come to their rescue.
Active Copyright Protection destroyed all naval designs once Mom's turn to the Republic became known.
I would not be a princess. My mom was allowed to continue to bear the title in recognition of her contribution to the Republic's survival.
We had the flagship, two Duchess class vessels and 3 light cruisers, and none of them could be replaced.
From the Army databanks Mom and the Army brass had jury-rigged the CT 20, an Infantry space mobile armored flight suit. After that, the faster and more armored JB 50, and there were two wings of fighting vehicles that were made space mobile.
Only five of the space mobile main battle tank were produced. All of these army transplants would fail if they were asked to take down a capital ship but they were reasonable solutions against small enemy craft. For the capital ship combat they had to stick to their small fleet.
I'd only seen the smaller cruisers deployed to ward off piracy. They were flying into unknown territory, putting some distance from the enemy and their 3 million civilians onboard the five ships.
Flagships were designed for a significant passenger manifest, but the other four ships, with a fraction of the people onboard, were cramped.
But, anyway, the training center, I was qualifying in all of the combat vessels of the republic, from the CT flight suit, to a staff position on Marilyn II.
The ship's namesake was my great-great-grandmother, actually.
The CT 20 had two hand lasers and a heavy particle cannon firing from chest position, small jets at each limb allowed for quick maneuvering. Unfortunately it was confusion and disorienting. The CT moved slowly, if nimbly and getting into range of its weapons seemed suicidal in the training scenario.
Final Evaluation:
CT 20 - 30/100
JB 50 - 45/100
BK 100 - 12/100
JA 250 - 68/100
Capital Ship Piloting - 65/100
Capital Ship Weapons - 76/100
Capital Ship Major Systems - 58/100
Capital Ship Command - 82/100
"Grades are given based on our professional standards. An 82 would be third highest this year for students in Command," mom said.
"We haven't fired a shot since I was 3. The cruisers and army vessels have taken all of them for us," I said.
"I don't want to see you in a suit, or a tank, but I'm ok if you want to learn onboard the Eva Marie."
"My cousin's already Lieutenant Commander there."
The Captain's suite onboard the Marilyn II was designed for royalty. We were in the smaller private family dining room in the suite.
Still the chandeliers were gaudy, and the candle holders ornate.
I couldn't hear the page, but I knew my mom's presence was requested.
If I could convince mom to transfer me to the Lucille Ann, that would be ok.
*
"We have detected active scans from one or more unknown sources in the past hour," General Samuel told her.
"Any detections on our passive sensors?"
"No your highness. We will continue to search but I recommend to keep listening and not broadcasting for now."
The Command Bridge was located two decks below the Sovereign bridge, where the President, General and herself decided on policy. On the Command Bridge they commanded Fleet operations and Flagship tactical maneuvers.
The General was in operational command overall but it was her ship, so there was always some tension during operatuons.
"I think we should form scout lances, Take a squadron of CTs, a few heavy suits in support and take a look," she said.
"If it's pirates we need tank backup. I'll deploy three lances with an MBT each in support."
"That's pretty heavy for a scout lance…"
*
Space Tanks had an extra person in the cockpit compared to their terrestrial counterparts: the observer was necessary to take in the 3D views in space.
Markus first spotted the sleek spacecraft when it was only twenty miles away from the lance. It wasn't a recognizable Admiralty or Pirate design. The CT suits needed to group their fire on the target.
"Lance 16-U, all units, counter-strike authorization on my Target Beta Six! Fire if the bogey so much as waves a laser pointer at you." He shouted on comms.
He pumped his fists as the fighter came into the light battle suits' range, and was obliterated seconds after it began firing on one of the suits.
All suit shields were holding on his flight. Then saw three more fighters. "Fire at will!"
The enemy's weapons were not very effective against the suits, yet alone against his shields. But the unknown enemy sure did have a lot of them.
They pulled back towards the Marilyn, while maximizing weapon power to shoot as many enemy targets down as they could.
He even fired his own auto cannons, blasting the enemies apart in one second bursts.
Something much higher caliber nearly overcame his shields, and then another shot caused the tank to shudder and spin out of position.
"Lance 16-U to HRH Marilyn, we've taken hits from unknown enemy vessel(s). Definitely something bigger than Alpha Bravo, command. Advise?"
Targeting information streamed into his systems but the target was out of his effective range by many kilometers. Enemy frigates forming an old fashioned battle line, where firing on all three deployed tanks.
*
Anna Marie, Lucille Anne pursue and destroy targets Gamma 1-12. Enemy frigates. Effective firepower seems low for a frigate but assume that may change.
"You might want to deploy Duchess Gwyneth," Princess Evelyn suggested.
The stuck-in-the clouds navy believed in deploying all of your weapons at once for a devastating alpha strike, but General Samuel believed in reserves after a lifetime of seeing fools commit all their forces to a breakout.
The Duchess-class ships and most of all, the Marilyn, where their ultimate strategic reserves. He would wait to deploy the Gwyneth. The third cruiser, the Brett Cole, would be deployed instead.
The enemy frigates were numerous but completely unshielded. It stung to lose two tanks, but their cruisers were cutting down the frigates almost as fast as they could get targeting solutions.
"Withdraw all CT class assets, deploy JB squadrons 6 and 9. Deploy Commander Martin's berserkers."
Anna Marie to Command, we just were hit by another unknown ship classification. Target Delta Tango 2. Target is at maximum range of our own weapons, permission to fire?
"Jesus," he said off comms. "Deploy Duchess Gwyneth, all cap prioritize Delta Tango 2 and any target of its class. Maximum effective range.
Army assets, attack enemy frigates once in range.
The analysis and planning 3D hologram showed best guesses as to the state of the fight.
Their army assets were taking losses approaching the frigate line while the enemy capital ships focused fire on the Anna Marie.
The cruiser was only lightly damaged. There was some concern for life support and passenger support, but there was no time to stop for such considerations.
The three cruisers were almost in range of the new targets. There was no visual identification yet, only high freq EM targeting.
The Gwyneth had already obliterated one of the enemy capital ships. And then the cruisers got into range and the cluster of enemy capital ships began to collapse.
They took down a few more heavy suits and berserker crafts but were unable to heavily damage the Anna Marie.
*
"We don't even know who they are and we've already had a major engagement," President Paulson was not happy.
"They began firing on our scouts immediately. There was no attempt at an exchange of information. We encountered only military vessels the entire time.
Their production capacity must be massive but their designs lack sufficient armoring or any shielding. Their capital ships had less durability than our cruisers. But how many others they have squirreled away, we don't know." General Samuel said.
"I have to review some resettlement requests." There was a bit of damage to habitation on the Anna Maria.
Last edited:
Aura and Anima 1
- Location
- Michigan
I was born in a place where emotions became action. The aura effect. Animas clashed as subconscious grievances and differences unintentionally became open battles. Marital strife amongst the Lords became world-shaking powers clashing in the skies.
For those whose animas are too wild and too powerful at a young age, the Stoic Society is their only hope. So I was sent there as an infant in hopes I would survive.
The Stoic Society was a refuge in a world of chaos and conflict. We learned to control our emotions, our bodies and our animas. Eventually, I became a full member of the Society. When a Stoicist unleashed their anima, they struck with much greater power than the untrained, who wielded their powers only instinctually. But mostly, we controlled our emotions and our animas, becoming Beacons of peace and tranquility, and even learning to soothe the auras of others.
Mana was naturally abundant in my homeworld. I didn't know it as anything different, but when an ancient trap activated, I was sent down into your world. A place where animas were rare, and mana was so precious it was forged into priceless crystals that were fought over. A world where hidden evils were possible.
~
The gathering of novitiates was ridiculous. Everyone had a larger mana crystal than Nathan. The laughter and merrymaking of others only made him somber. He had a ridiculous amount of work ahead of him, if he wanted to succeed in the sect.
Three Elders stood on the stage. They would choose initiates in the coming months. Each elder represented the sect-in-miniature with masters, journeyers, apprentices and initiates learning from the Elder and each other, to try to exemplify the style and ethos of the Elder.
And then there was a girl standing up there. She was younger than him even. Was she a young prodigy, a disciple of one of the three?
Elder Jin spoke up, "Master Aurica is our new Elder, completing the trials, and defeating her mentor in Trial Combat this year. She will choose three initiates at this time. It will take many years for her disciples to emerge into a true fourth wing of our sect, but we are interested to see how she chooses to proceed."
The girl was an elder? Unlike the three Elders she didn't have any mana crystals as far as he could tell. He had heard of legends that told of those who transformed their own bodies into mana crystals. But that was just fairy tales.
*
Nathan spent weeks trying to get the favor of one of the three real elders. He learned a new technique from one of Bao's disciples, he practiced meditation to try to pass Su-Hwa's tests, and he practiced with his broad-axe.
His parents couldn't afford a more prestigious weapon, but he had helped deal with animals and brigands both with the axe. When he was young, His father had become a constable in the county, and had replaced the lumberjack's axe with a crossbow and baton. But Elder Jin was not impressed, dismissing both his choice of weapon and small mana crystal.
So now, he was desperate and had spent all the money he cane to the sect with, and he was chasing down this new "Elder" Aurica.
He found the girl alone, meditating just off the path between Elder Bao's wing of the sect and the cluster of auxiliary guilder buildings.
Despite his doubts of the elder, he didn't interrupt her meditation. He sat some distance away, closing his eyes, and began to meditate himself.
"You were looking for me?" she said.
"Are you still looking for initiates? I would like to apply," he opened his eyes, and responded. She still had her eyes closed in meditation.
"Few have applied, but none have passed my test. Do you consent to try?"
"I will attempt your test, Elder. What must I do?" He focused on being respectful despite his doubts.
"Be Ready," she said.
Aurica's aura descended as a cloud with gleaming light pouring out, it moved to surround him in. After a moment she spoke.
"You are more concerned with appearing to work hard than actually doing it. Actually, you spend fewer hours training than the average disciple. You don't work smarter or harder. It is not the mana crystal that determines the mage, but confidence, and both efficient and dedicated work and mastery of your emotions."
He was dejected, she was just insulting him because she was a fake, not a true elder; but then he was stunned, when he realized his anima had formed and struck her. It was a grey cloud covering over the brilliance of her own aura. And then his aura vanished.
"By your anima, you are revealed, Nathan. My test studies the shadow-world, the land of the anima, it seeks out words which will strike your subconscious in the strongest way. By then strengthening your anima with my technique, I can then observe your anima reacting and striking back."
Skeptically, he turned to her. "Are you really an elder then?"
"I am a Stoicist Nathan. This is not known to you, but if you become my initiate, you will learn the Philosophy. It will become known in these lands as well. I took my position by winning a spar against Elders Bao and Jin. I understand the subconscious and its anima.
Nathan, the previous two novices who tried my test reacted by attacking me. One with his fists, and one with her blade. You did not follow up your Anima's reaction. You have a beginner's control over your emotions already. You are worthy to be my first initiate."
Nathan was still not sure if she was actually an Elder. She had some strange abilities, but being on par with Elder Bao seemed ridiculous to him.
"Will you show me your mastery, so I may believe?"
"Then strike me with your axe, and you will see." She said.
Nathan bowed to her, took out his axe, and began with a simple strike aiming for her midsection.
The axe was deflected by an invisible barrier and bounced back. He swung again and a staff formed out of pure mana deflecting his strike.
Aurica took the glowing staff and struck back. The axe was forced out of his hands.
Nathan touched his mana crystal, and formed a stone projectile which he launched at Aurica.
Mana poured out from her and disassembled the stone into dust. He tried to form the best Earth spell he had learned, but his boulder was already crumbling before Aurica destroyed it.
He couldn't really test whether she was good enough to be an elder, but she was better than him. Forming a staff out of pure mana? Was she the daughter of a Mana stone magnate? She had no mana discipline.
"I concede," he said bowing to her. "I will be your initiate, if you'll still have me."
"Very well. Now show me all you know about Earth magic," Aurica said.
*
"Elder, my mana crystal will be completely consumed if I keep casting high level spells!" Nathan cried out, after summoned another attempt at the boulder spell.
Aurica was standing at the bottom of a hill, while Nathan launched boulders towards her. Most of them collapsed into dust as they rolled.
He had only practiced the spell twice before meeting his elder, its mana cost was prohibitive.
"I do forget these things," his Elder said. "Do I have the spell?" she muttered to herself.
He waited as his Elder continued saying something to herself, and then gradually watched in astonishment, as a new mana crystal formed in her hands, filling in layer by layer of crystal.
Every disciple in the sect would be pleading with her if they knew she could do that.
"Best not tell anyone about this disciple. Now 10 more boulders," she told him.
*
Spending mountains of mana everyday helped Nathan to advance in mastery of the boulder spell. Aurica had to put some work into dispelling his boulders now. But she had business elsewhere for a few days and Nathan went back to the commons area to do his daily boulder spell practice.
He had asked her to form three extra mana crystals for him to practice with. He hid them carefully in his pack behind sect paperwork.
With the current state of his boulder spell, Nathan decided to find a more isolated spot where he won't accidentally hit anyone.
After six casts of the spell, the hill he'd been flinging them up was full of divots and depressions where the boulders had crashed into the steep sides of the embankment.
Dispelling his own spells was a lot easier than what Aurica had done, so the boulders themselves were gone when once of his acquaintances from the Sect showed up.
"Nate, buddy, where have you been?" Joon asked.
Joon had not yet been accepted by an Elder when Nathan last had seen him. They were both in the same desperate situation at the time.
"I finally decided to see the new Elder. I've been going through training since she accepted me as an initiate," Nathan said.
"You were just saying she was a fraud last time we talked, and you were right. There's no way a little girl like that is an elder, it's never happened before. What were you really doing?" he asked.
"I was wrong. She's very big on spell training. I've still got to keep up with my practice until the Elder returns."
"Well don't mind me, hah. I've got a bit of spell practice I can do too."
Earth magic was the most mana efficient, which was why Nathan had focused on it. Joon had a bigger mana crystal, but he was attuned to Air magic, which was more mana intensive.
The Zephyr spell was the meekest spell known in the element, and Joon proceeded to start practicing with the spell.
Nathan felt the calming breeze of the spell, and was put out, not wanting to draw Joon's attention by casting a third tier Earth spell. Yet he didn't want to slack in his practice. What was Joon going to do about it anyway.
He felt the mana compacting into the increasingly solid boulder, and then unleashed it, causing the boulder to smash into the hill and accidentally hit an incline, launching into the air and smashing into a tree. A massive gouge was taken out of the tree before the boulder crashed back to the ground with a massive whoosh, and he dispelled it.
His boulders seemed to alternate from "dud" that were still better than his first attempts with Aurica, and good casts. That was a very good cast, he decided.
"Who are you and what did you do with Nate?"
*
The Elders Pavilion was a simply decorated gathering place for the elders. The servants who served there had been hand picked by my seniors, and tea time was observed with a seemingly religious fastidiousness. Tea was one of the things I was forced to learn first when arriving in this world. My homeworld preferred drinks and cups that could withstand the constant clashes of Animas. What the locals called cider, indicated they did not truly know of it.
"So, you've found your first initiate," Elder Bao commented, after taking a sip of his tea. "I suppose it is good if you can shape those who the other elders find lacking."
"He means your choice was atrocious," Su-Hwa commented. "We did not take all the good disciples of this generation. You had other options."
"What I am seeking is disciples who will follow the philosophy I was inducted into. Indeed I knew many who were tremendously skilled and talented, but I saw the effects of their lack of control. I will start with someone who is balanced."
"Those who have no strengh find balance easy," Su-Hwa said.
"Let our new Elder learn her lessons her own way," Jin interrupted. "I've found a jewel of an initiate. Her choice of weapons is not quite my preference, but she is very skilled with the dual daggers."
"And not just a meathead," Su-Hwa retorted, "We both offered her a position, why did she choose you?"
"I continue to craft teams of cultivators, and this year is no exception," Elder Bao said.
Suddenly a falcon flew towards the pavilion. Elder Bao stood up, holding out his arm for the bird to land on. Pulling a small scroll from the falcon's grip, the creature flew off, and Bao perused the scroll.
"It seems Elder Aurica will have to return later," he passed the scroll over to her.
The letter indicated that a small crowd was now following his initiate, seeking to apply to be her disciples.
"These seven, they would all be atrocious choices as well, I suppose," I jested.
"Go, introduce them to your test," Elder Bao said.
He was still looking out for me, even now that I was one of them.
For those whose animas are too wild and too powerful at a young age, the Stoic Society is their only hope. So I was sent there as an infant in hopes I would survive.
The Stoic Society was a refuge in a world of chaos and conflict. We learned to control our emotions, our bodies and our animas. Eventually, I became a full member of the Society. When a Stoicist unleashed their anima, they struck with much greater power than the untrained, who wielded their powers only instinctually. But mostly, we controlled our emotions and our animas, becoming Beacons of peace and tranquility, and even learning to soothe the auras of others.
Mana was naturally abundant in my homeworld. I didn't know it as anything different, but when an ancient trap activated, I was sent down into your world. A place where animas were rare, and mana was so precious it was forged into priceless crystals that were fought over. A world where hidden evils were possible.
~
The gathering of novitiates was ridiculous. Everyone had a larger mana crystal than Nathan. The laughter and merrymaking of others only made him somber. He had a ridiculous amount of work ahead of him, if he wanted to succeed in the sect.
Three Elders stood on the stage. They would choose initiates in the coming months. Each elder represented the sect-in-miniature with masters, journeyers, apprentices and initiates learning from the Elder and each other, to try to exemplify the style and ethos of the Elder.
And then there was a girl standing up there. She was younger than him even. Was she a young prodigy, a disciple of one of the three?
Elder Jin spoke up, "Master Aurica is our new Elder, completing the trials, and defeating her mentor in Trial Combat this year. She will choose three initiates at this time. It will take many years for her disciples to emerge into a true fourth wing of our sect, but we are interested to see how she chooses to proceed."
The girl was an elder? Unlike the three Elders she didn't have any mana crystals as far as he could tell. He had heard of legends that told of those who transformed their own bodies into mana crystals. But that was just fairy tales.
*
Nathan spent weeks trying to get the favor of one of the three real elders. He learned a new technique from one of Bao's disciples, he practiced meditation to try to pass Su-Hwa's tests, and he practiced with his broad-axe.
His parents couldn't afford a more prestigious weapon, but he had helped deal with animals and brigands both with the axe. When he was young, His father had become a constable in the county, and had replaced the lumberjack's axe with a crossbow and baton. But Elder Jin was not impressed, dismissing both his choice of weapon and small mana crystal.
So now, he was desperate and had spent all the money he cane to the sect with, and he was chasing down this new "Elder" Aurica.
He found the girl alone, meditating just off the path between Elder Bao's wing of the sect and the cluster of auxiliary guilder buildings.
Despite his doubts of the elder, he didn't interrupt her meditation. He sat some distance away, closing his eyes, and began to meditate himself.
"You were looking for me?" she said.
"Are you still looking for initiates? I would like to apply," he opened his eyes, and responded. She still had her eyes closed in meditation.
"Few have applied, but none have passed my test. Do you consent to try?"
"I will attempt your test, Elder. What must I do?" He focused on being respectful despite his doubts.
"Be Ready," she said.
Aurica's aura descended as a cloud with gleaming light pouring out, it moved to surround him in. After a moment she spoke.
"You are more concerned with appearing to work hard than actually doing it. Actually, you spend fewer hours training than the average disciple. You don't work smarter or harder. It is not the mana crystal that determines the mage, but confidence, and both efficient and dedicated work and mastery of your emotions."
He was dejected, she was just insulting him because she was a fake, not a true elder; but then he was stunned, when he realized his anima had formed and struck her. It was a grey cloud covering over the brilliance of her own aura. And then his aura vanished.
"By your anima, you are revealed, Nathan. My test studies the shadow-world, the land of the anima, it seeks out words which will strike your subconscious in the strongest way. By then strengthening your anima with my technique, I can then observe your anima reacting and striking back."
Skeptically, he turned to her. "Are you really an elder then?"
"I am a Stoicist Nathan. This is not known to you, but if you become my initiate, you will learn the Philosophy. It will become known in these lands as well. I took my position by winning a spar against Elders Bao and Jin. I understand the subconscious and its anima.
Nathan, the previous two novices who tried my test reacted by attacking me. One with his fists, and one with her blade. You did not follow up your Anima's reaction. You have a beginner's control over your emotions already. You are worthy to be my first initiate."
Nathan was still not sure if she was actually an Elder. She had some strange abilities, but being on par with Elder Bao seemed ridiculous to him.
"Will you show me your mastery, so I may believe?"
"Then strike me with your axe, and you will see." She said.
Nathan bowed to her, took out his axe, and began with a simple strike aiming for her midsection.
The axe was deflected by an invisible barrier and bounced back. He swung again and a staff formed out of pure mana deflecting his strike.
Aurica took the glowing staff and struck back. The axe was forced out of his hands.
Nathan touched his mana crystal, and formed a stone projectile which he launched at Aurica.
Mana poured out from her and disassembled the stone into dust. He tried to form the best Earth spell he had learned, but his boulder was already crumbling before Aurica destroyed it.
He couldn't really test whether she was good enough to be an elder, but she was better than him. Forming a staff out of pure mana? Was she the daughter of a Mana stone magnate? She had no mana discipline.
"I concede," he said bowing to her. "I will be your initiate, if you'll still have me."
"Very well. Now show me all you know about Earth magic," Aurica said.
*
"Elder, my mana crystal will be completely consumed if I keep casting high level spells!" Nathan cried out, after summoned another attempt at the boulder spell.
Aurica was standing at the bottom of a hill, while Nathan launched boulders towards her. Most of them collapsed into dust as they rolled.
He had only practiced the spell twice before meeting his elder, its mana cost was prohibitive.
"I do forget these things," his Elder said. "Do I have the spell?" she muttered to herself.
He waited as his Elder continued saying something to herself, and then gradually watched in astonishment, as a new mana crystal formed in her hands, filling in layer by layer of crystal.
Every disciple in the sect would be pleading with her if they knew she could do that.
"Best not tell anyone about this disciple. Now 10 more boulders," she told him.
*
Spending mountains of mana everyday helped Nathan to advance in mastery of the boulder spell. Aurica had to put some work into dispelling his boulders now. But she had business elsewhere for a few days and Nathan went back to the commons area to do his daily boulder spell practice.
He had asked her to form three extra mana crystals for him to practice with. He hid them carefully in his pack behind sect paperwork.
With the current state of his boulder spell, Nathan decided to find a more isolated spot where he won't accidentally hit anyone.
After six casts of the spell, the hill he'd been flinging them up was full of divots and depressions where the boulders had crashed into the steep sides of the embankment.
Dispelling his own spells was a lot easier than what Aurica had done, so the boulders themselves were gone when once of his acquaintances from the Sect showed up.
"Nate, buddy, where have you been?" Joon asked.
Joon had not yet been accepted by an Elder when Nathan last had seen him. They were both in the same desperate situation at the time.
"I finally decided to see the new Elder. I've been going through training since she accepted me as an initiate," Nathan said.
"You were just saying she was a fraud last time we talked, and you were right. There's no way a little girl like that is an elder, it's never happened before. What were you really doing?" he asked.
"I was wrong. She's very big on spell training. I've still got to keep up with my practice until the Elder returns."
"Well don't mind me, hah. I've got a bit of spell practice I can do too."
Earth magic was the most mana efficient, which was why Nathan had focused on it. Joon had a bigger mana crystal, but he was attuned to Air magic, which was more mana intensive.
The Zephyr spell was the meekest spell known in the element, and Joon proceeded to start practicing with the spell.
Nathan felt the calming breeze of the spell, and was put out, not wanting to draw Joon's attention by casting a third tier Earth spell. Yet he didn't want to slack in his practice. What was Joon going to do about it anyway.
He felt the mana compacting into the increasingly solid boulder, and then unleashed it, causing the boulder to smash into the hill and accidentally hit an incline, launching into the air and smashing into a tree. A massive gouge was taken out of the tree before the boulder crashed back to the ground with a massive whoosh, and he dispelled it.
His boulders seemed to alternate from "dud" that were still better than his first attempts with Aurica, and good casts. That was a very good cast, he decided.
"Who are you and what did you do with Nate?"
*
The Elders Pavilion was a simply decorated gathering place for the elders. The servants who served there had been hand picked by my seniors, and tea time was observed with a seemingly religious fastidiousness. Tea was one of the things I was forced to learn first when arriving in this world. My homeworld preferred drinks and cups that could withstand the constant clashes of Animas. What the locals called cider, indicated they did not truly know of it.
"So, you've found your first initiate," Elder Bao commented, after taking a sip of his tea. "I suppose it is good if you can shape those who the other elders find lacking."
"He means your choice was atrocious," Su-Hwa commented. "We did not take all the good disciples of this generation. You had other options."
"What I am seeking is disciples who will follow the philosophy I was inducted into. Indeed I knew many who were tremendously skilled and talented, but I saw the effects of their lack of control. I will start with someone who is balanced."
"Those who have no strengh find balance easy," Su-Hwa said.
"Let our new Elder learn her lessons her own way," Jin interrupted. "I've found a jewel of an initiate. Her choice of weapons is not quite my preference, but she is very skilled with the dual daggers."
"And not just a meathead," Su-Hwa retorted, "We both offered her a position, why did she choose you?"
"I continue to craft teams of cultivators, and this year is no exception," Elder Bao said.
Suddenly a falcon flew towards the pavilion. Elder Bao stood up, holding out his arm for the bird to land on. Pulling a small scroll from the falcon's grip, the creature flew off, and Bao perused the scroll.
"It seems Elder Aurica will have to return later," he passed the scroll over to her.
The letter indicated that a small crowd was now following his initiate, seeking to apply to be her disciples.
"These seven, they would all be atrocious choices as well, I suppose," I jested.
"Go, introduce them to your test," Elder Bao said.
He was still looking out for me, even now that I was one of them.
Last edited:
Aura and Anima 2
- Location
- Michigan
Even the Stoic society knew that they could not be merciful to those who had hostile animas.
The only truly evil beings we knew were caused by mercy. Facing a stronger foe they couldn't defeat, people became overcome with bitterness, thoughts of revenge, obsession against injustice and poisons, assassinations, and acceptable targets to relieve their fury.
Aura infection, as we called it, allowed Evil spirits to inhabit people.
If there was no true reconciliation possible, then only a complete victory was allowed.
As Stoics we ended aura infected individuals that no one else could bear to kill. I have seen the consequences of gentleness and mercy in my early days as a stoicist.
~
The new building wasn't even painted yet, but a line of desperate sect members moved slowly into the building.
His Elder had heard of the desperate crowd following him somehow and returned, with a place to conduct her test in privacy as well.
His teeth itched as he thought he heard shouting, he felt like he was watching the candidates confront his elder, even though he was outside preventing anyone else from going in until it was their turn.
There were a dozen who tried the test. Eleven who left dejected. One who did not leave. He had thought maybe they had one more disciple, but when he went into the unfinished building after all the tests were complete, he saw the body.
"This one had murderous thoughts, even after I proved he couldn't defeat me. He was planning on killing you or any other disciples of mine as soon as he had the chance. Such corrupt auras can host evil spirits if they aren't dealt with. I will meet you at our previous training location."
*
Ridiculous. This Elder, who he was starting to seriously admire, wanted him to do the impossible.
"Every child began their magical studies with Arcane shield, before pursuing one or more elements for more serious studies. You should have little difficulty picking up the simple spell," Elder Aurica responded to his doubts.
"I will try, but I am used to the heavy feeling of Earth mana, Arcane mana is supposedly so light it has been exiting our world from times of old. That's why Arcane spells are so ridiculously inefficient," Nathan said.
"To be a Stoic you must disregard both Emotions and Conventions. It is a convention that the Arcane is an element nearly lost to your world, and yet I have had no difficulties since I arrived here. Now take a deep breath and let all of that weight, all of that heaviness leave your body. Let your Anima become unbound from the Earth, let it soar high above you, and then slowly, carefully, practice the spell I showed you."
My first attempt at the spell looked more like Earth shield than Arcane Shield, but the spell collapsed in seconds. Instead of having me try again, she had me practice just lightening my anima, trying to get it to float above me instead of skulking beneath me like shadows.
Even that much wasn't easy. I started learning magic while I was still at home, and Earth magic was instinctive to me. My anima acted as a powerful but immensely heavy force which lingered around me.
My anima was only visible when Elder Aurica strengthened it so I could only practice during our one-on-one sessions.
*
As a novice of the sect, Nathan hadn't been invited before to the monthly tournament at the Sect's main amphitheater. Now, as Elder Aurica's only initiate, he had to be there.
The rush of novices trying to become initiates under Aurica's tutelage had slowed down. Maybe it was the dead novice, who knew what rumors were spreading about his elder. She had tested 8 more applicants, but none of them passed her test.
His Arcane Shield was still pretty awful, but just being able to cast spells in multiple elements was shocking to him. His most recent lesson from Aurica was on the fourth tier spell Earthquake.
He had only successfully formed the spell once so far. Making his anima shift into a very rooted Earth form before attempting the spell was very helpful. During one on one training, Elder Aurica would make him practice shifting back and forth from Arcane Shield to Earthquake. It forced his anima to become more responsive.
Now though, he was nervous he would have to try to rely on Earthquake to match up against Elder Su-Hwa's #1 initiate. The initiate was almost as frightening as Elder Su-Hwa herself. Mina was a dedicated Fire mage who was sure to rise to Apprentice rank very soon.
Nathan knew he had a long way to go before Aurica was ready to consider him as an apprentice rank.
He should have practiced some defensive earth spells. He had kept his studies focused on only a few spells while he was applying with the Elders, as he knew they would all shift him to pursue their particular philosophies. Now he only had Arcane shield.
There were not many Arcane mages in the sect. The high mana costs and lack of obvious keystone spells early on made it less attractive to most practitioners. Juniors who did use Arcane Shield found it to be the weakest of the main elemental shields. It was exceptional against mental and anima attacks, but those were not commonly dealt with below Master rank. His grasp of Arcane Shield didn't even match an average Arcane mage's understanding, so the spell would be even less valuable to him.
The Monthly Tournament was actually a series of arranged bouts between the Elders' disciples, followed by challenges. Anyone who won their arranged battle was eligible to be challenged, but only within ranks: initiates could only be challenged by other initiates.
The tournament started with the newest and weakest initiates battling. There were 4 battle rings, each attended by a referee who would stop the fight in case of serious injury or unsportsmanlike behavior.
He was surrounded by Bao's top initiates, who cheered on one of the fighters below.
These fights were mostly weapon spars, with only a little use of magic by the new initiates. Spears, Swords, Axes and Hammers were common. Earth Shield and Fire Shield were the most common spells, with an occasional use of attack magic.
AS the matches move on to the more experienced initiates, Nathan watched with more interest. The referees were actively canceling spells and pulling losing students out before they get too injured by the increased use of magic.
Finally his match was called and he walked down the steps to the 4th battle circle.
His opponent, Mina, fights with a short sword but her fire magic is his main worry.
The ref steps up, speaking to them: "The rules are this: if you leave the circle you lose. Fight to Yield or Knockout. If I tell you to stop fighting, all fighting, including spells, stop. Wait for my signal to start."
"I'm not sure why they paired me with a first year, I'll make it quick," she said.
As the ref released a wave of arcane mana to signal the bout's start, he quickly focused his anima, trying to force it to soar, and then unleashed the shield spell. It had finally formed just in time to take a hit from Mina's fire projectile spell. Surprisingly, the shield held and forced the fire projectile off course.
He began to close the distance to Mina, readying his axe. He launched a boulder towards her, and barely leapt out of the way of a roaring fireball headed straight towards him.
He stumbled and fell after the frantic attempt to avoid the spell. He fired a stone bullet at her, and then followed up with another boulder. As smoothly as he could he stood up, watching as the Arcane Shield partially protected him from another fireball.
He was only partially protected as he tumbled backwards, feeling the intense heat of his opponent's spell.
He didn't know when the ref would call this fight, so he blinked away the pain, his eyes were watering.
Finally he was able to see again, and he saw an angry Mina, visibly injured from his simple spells. What?
He focused on his anima, trying to send it into the Earth beneath them, and then attempted the Earthquake spell. This was no mere tremor, the properly cast Earthquake would cause the earth to break open and try to swallow the target whole. It was very hard to stand in the face of the spell.
He succeeded in the cast, but just barely. The battle ring was damaged as the Earth parted, the ground shook and both he and his competitor fell.
"All stop!" the referee shouted.
Nathan focused on the Earthquake spell which was still active, and neutralized it. Mina had recovered from the initial tumble but fell after the ground broke up.
"Victory, to Elder Aurica's disciple," said the ref.
"I won't fall for that next time!" Mina shouted, as the healers took her away.
His face and arms felt like they were badly sunburned, but he stumbled back into the stands.
The only truly evil beings we knew were caused by mercy. Facing a stronger foe they couldn't defeat, people became overcome with bitterness, thoughts of revenge, obsession against injustice and poisons, assassinations, and acceptable targets to relieve their fury.
Aura infection, as we called it, allowed Evil spirits to inhabit people.
If there was no true reconciliation possible, then only a complete victory was allowed.
As Stoics we ended aura infected individuals that no one else could bear to kill. I have seen the consequences of gentleness and mercy in my early days as a stoicist.
~
The new building wasn't even painted yet, but a line of desperate sect members moved slowly into the building.
His Elder had heard of the desperate crowd following him somehow and returned, with a place to conduct her test in privacy as well.
His teeth itched as he thought he heard shouting, he felt like he was watching the candidates confront his elder, even though he was outside preventing anyone else from going in until it was their turn.
There were a dozen who tried the test. Eleven who left dejected. One who did not leave. He had thought maybe they had one more disciple, but when he went into the unfinished building after all the tests were complete, he saw the body.
"This one had murderous thoughts, even after I proved he couldn't defeat me. He was planning on killing you or any other disciples of mine as soon as he had the chance. Such corrupt auras can host evil spirits if they aren't dealt with. I will meet you at our previous training location."
*
Ridiculous. This Elder, who he was starting to seriously admire, wanted him to do the impossible.
"Every child began their magical studies with Arcane shield, before pursuing one or more elements for more serious studies. You should have little difficulty picking up the simple spell," Elder Aurica responded to his doubts.
"I will try, but I am used to the heavy feeling of Earth mana, Arcane mana is supposedly so light it has been exiting our world from times of old. That's why Arcane spells are so ridiculously inefficient," Nathan said.
"To be a Stoic you must disregard both Emotions and Conventions. It is a convention that the Arcane is an element nearly lost to your world, and yet I have had no difficulties since I arrived here. Now take a deep breath and let all of that weight, all of that heaviness leave your body. Let your Anima become unbound from the Earth, let it soar high above you, and then slowly, carefully, practice the spell I showed you."
My first attempt at the spell looked more like Earth shield than Arcane Shield, but the spell collapsed in seconds. Instead of having me try again, she had me practice just lightening my anima, trying to get it to float above me instead of skulking beneath me like shadows.
Even that much wasn't easy. I started learning magic while I was still at home, and Earth magic was instinctive to me. My anima acted as a powerful but immensely heavy force which lingered around me.
My anima was only visible when Elder Aurica strengthened it so I could only practice during our one-on-one sessions.
*
As a novice of the sect, Nathan hadn't been invited before to the monthly tournament at the Sect's main amphitheater. Now, as Elder Aurica's only initiate, he had to be there.
The rush of novices trying to become initiates under Aurica's tutelage had slowed down. Maybe it was the dead novice, who knew what rumors were spreading about his elder. She had tested 8 more applicants, but none of them passed her test.
His Arcane Shield was still pretty awful, but just being able to cast spells in multiple elements was shocking to him. His most recent lesson from Aurica was on the fourth tier spell Earthquake.
He had only successfully formed the spell once so far. Making his anima shift into a very rooted Earth form before attempting the spell was very helpful. During one on one training, Elder Aurica would make him practice shifting back and forth from Arcane Shield to Earthquake. It forced his anima to become more responsive.
Now though, he was nervous he would have to try to rely on Earthquake to match up against Elder Su-Hwa's #1 initiate. The initiate was almost as frightening as Elder Su-Hwa herself. Mina was a dedicated Fire mage who was sure to rise to Apprentice rank very soon.
Nathan knew he had a long way to go before Aurica was ready to consider him as an apprentice rank.
He should have practiced some defensive earth spells. He had kept his studies focused on only a few spells while he was applying with the Elders, as he knew they would all shift him to pursue their particular philosophies. Now he only had Arcane shield.
There were not many Arcane mages in the sect. The high mana costs and lack of obvious keystone spells early on made it less attractive to most practitioners. Juniors who did use Arcane Shield found it to be the weakest of the main elemental shields. It was exceptional against mental and anima attacks, but those were not commonly dealt with below Master rank. His grasp of Arcane Shield didn't even match an average Arcane mage's understanding, so the spell would be even less valuable to him.
The Monthly Tournament was actually a series of arranged bouts between the Elders' disciples, followed by challenges. Anyone who won their arranged battle was eligible to be challenged, but only within ranks: initiates could only be challenged by other initiates.
The tournament started with the newest and weakest initiates battling. There were 4 battle rings, each attended by a referee who would stop the fight in case of serious injury or unsportsmanlike behavior.
He was surrounded by Bao's top initiates, who cheered on one of the fighters below.
These fights were mostly weapon spars, with only a little use of magic by the new initiates. Spears, Swords, Axes and Hammers were common. Earth Shield and Fire Shield were the most common spells, with an occasional use of attack magic.
AS the matches move on to the more experienced initiates, Nathan watched with more interest. The referees were actively canceling spells and pulling losing students out before they get too injured by the increased use of magic.
Finally his match was called and he walked down the steps to the 4th battle circle.
His opponent, Mina, fights with a short sword but her fire magic is his main worry.
The ref steps up, speaking to them: "The rules are this: if you leave the circle you lose. Fight to Yield or Knockout. If I tell you to stop fighting, all fighting, including spells, stop. Wait for my signal to start."
"I'm not sure why they paired me with a first year, I'll make it quick," she said.
As the ref released a wave of arcane mana to signal the bout's start, he quickly focused his anima, trying to force it to soar, and then unleashed the shield spell. It had finally formed just in time to take a hit from Mina's fire projectile spell. Surprisingly, the shield held and forced the fire projectile off course.
He began to close the distance to Mina, readying his axe. He launched a boulder towards her, and barely leapt out of the way of a roaring fireball headed straight towards him.
He stumbled and fell after the frantic attempt to avoid the spell. He fired a stone bullet at her, and then followed up with another boulder. As smoothly as he could he stood up, watching as the Arcane Shield partially protected him from another fireball.
He was only partially protected as he tumbled backwards, feeling the intense heat of his opponent's spell.
He didn't know when the ref would call this fight, so he blinked away the pain, his eyes were watering.
Finally he was able to see again, and he saw an angry Mina, visibly injured from his simple spells. What?
He focused on his anima, trying to send it into the Earth beneath them, and then attempted the Earthquake spell. This was no mere tremor, the properly cast Earthquake would cause the earth to break open and try to swallow the target whole. It was very hard to stand in the face of the spell.
He succeeded in the cast, but just barely. The battle ring was damaged as the Earth parted, the ground shook and both he and his competitor fell.
"All stop!" the referee shouted.
Nathan focused on the Earthquake spell which was still active, and neutralized it. Mina had recovered from the initial tumble but fell after the ground broke up.
"Victory, to Elder Aurica's disciple," said the ref.
"I won't fall for that next time!" Mina shouted, as the healers took her away.
His face and arms felt like they were badly sunburned, but he stumbled back into the stands.
LP: EQO, Blue Yonder
- Location
- Michigan
Inspired / Based On:
www.fimfiction.net
www.fimfiction.net
This Celestia is an all seeing eye who can create as many shards of reality as she wants and monitor them all simultaneously. So a different personality. Less warm, but also not overworked.
I was filling out this questionnaire under duress after my friend swore up and down that this MMO based on ponies was so awesome and amazing. I guess he had some weird stuff going on in his head too.
There were a lot of survey questions, ones David had never mentioned getting. I punched in the answers on the pony pad. The game would somehow put me in a Shard that matched up with my preferences and help create my character through these questions, it said.
It was weird not answering the usual stuff, like gender, race, class, and adjusting portraits. City of Heroes had endlessly fascinated me with all the character concepts you could make, adjusting the flexible character appearance system with all the superhero tropes, and mixing and matching. Plus the fun mix and match of primary and secondary powersets.
Not much to do once you hit max level but create another character. I'd made 40 or 50, most of them throwaways, but a few favorites that I played more. Sewer runs were the best part. A bunch of people who didn't know each other coming together to do a sewer run, was one of the best. Could never get a group to stick around much into King's Crossing though.
But I digress. The survey questions where all situations, asking what I would do. Would I do the really bold aggressive thing and take charge of a group to work towards a solution (no, unless it was some kind of school project type of thing). I like to just go along with the flow. Being a guy and having to take charge and ask someone out was very difficult for me. I'd been setup once, but it never worked out for me.
My "shameful" secret was playing a lot a female characters in MMOs. Maybe I wanted to be swept off my feet instead. But that was stupid and embarrassing, I know. I'm a dude, and this game sounds like one that's going to keep me as a dude, or ponydude.
My mind was wandering as I finished filled out all 20 detailed, complex questions.
The Ponypad went straight from a survey page with a blue background to a natural vista of hills, trees, white clouds in the sky, and a road leading to Canterlot, which was supposed to be where we are assigned a name by the supposedly smart AI.
Smart AI is relative, I thought, I'll get some kind of stupid random name, most likely. Anyone can make a name generator from a corpus.
From what little David told me about this "pony-verse", I realize the system had somehow created me as a female Pegasus.
I immediately experimented with flying. I had to tap one of the buttons on the pony pad to flutter up higher, and move the analog stick to move forward. I treated it like flying in City of Heroes, but it was so much better!
I even forgot about going to Canterlot right away, I flew up towards the clouds, and whooped down just above the trees. I even forgot to flutter once and mashed into a tree.
After a moment when stars flickered around me on the pad, I was able to get back up, and this time I headed towards Canterlot in the air. The sights on the ground were beautiful, but I was paying more attention to how cool the clouds were in this game, and the subtle feedback of going through clouds through the ponypad.
I actually saw some other Pegasi "mares" (that's the word) flying nearby. I tried to wave, but I wasn't sure how exactly to do that. Finally, after doing several amazing spins and rotations, I found the wave combo. They waved back and approached in the air as I was heading to Canterlot.
"I'm White Cloud," said one. "These are my friends: Thunder Daze and Sky Hop!"
"Hi!"
David told me I had to use the voice chat in this game. But oddly, my voice came out different than I spoke it. In the MMO, I heard myself in a mare's voice, even though I obviously had a guy's tenor voice in real life. Weird. What, was that a soprano voice they'd dubbed in for me.
I should try singing later and see how that translated.
"Hey what's your name?" Sky Hop asked. She was sky blue with other colors that looked like the sky during a sunrise or sunset.
I almost said my real life name, but I stopped my self. "I don't have one yet! I'm headed to Canterlot to get one, but I could just fly all day."
Recognizing the moves I had discovered by mashing keys, I spun my pegasi clockwise all the way around and then descended, diving forward and down towards the road. The three pegasi followed me.
"Try to keep up with us!" Thunder Daze said, as she shot above a cloud, and then made the cloud shoot out a lightning bolt towards the ground.
I watched the flash of lighting, it was impressive, but it didn't even affect the clay bricks that made up the road. The dirt nearby was marred however.
I swooped and rushed forward just a few feet above the road, but then I saw a unicorn stallion on the road, and had to tap the flutter button like mad to not run into him. I ended up leaping just over the unicorn and continuing on my way. Ooops, I should have stopped to say something, but I guess it was just an NPC, or maybe not?
The others were giggling as they swept past me.
"You almost ran into that stallion! Come on, let's work on your clumsiness!"
"She's almost to Canterlot. Head up to the clouds new one! Or you'll bonk into the townspeople!"
I fluttered my way up into the sky, watching the more experienced flyers leave me in the dust. "Hopefully I'll run into you again!"
"Of course," Sky Hop said.
They laughed as they flew off in a gracefully arcing curve to my left.
I hopped and fluttered from rooftop to rooftop towards the castle where Celestia was, finally landing with a nice fluttery smooth stop.
It was weird walking again after all the flying. I made my Unnamed Pegasi hop, hop, hop every few steps as I climbed the steps into the castle. Suddenly I was in the throne room before I should have logically made it there. Weird.
I stepped into Celestia's domain.
"Looking for your name?" Celestia asked.
I nodded.
"I can tell that you are interested in a lot of things. You'll find your apartment at Hobby Bluffs. You'll find that there are things to do every day. Check out the Odds and Ends shop."
"Ok thanks! Um, what should my name be?"I asked.
"I dub thee: Blue Yonder."
"Otherwise known as Wild?" I opined.
My cutie mark was a pair of Pegasus wings
"You like to explore, whether it be flying through the sky or trying new things. Remember Blue Yonder, if you ever have any questions or need help, you can find me here!"
"Where can I find Hobby Bluffs?" I asked, wondering if she would just give me a quick way there.
"Fly north, and ask for directions if you need help."
I smiled in the pony sort of way. "OK, thanks!"
Running down the steps, I launched into the air as I hopped the last one, soaring through the doorway and out into the sky.
It started to rain as I zipped away from Canterlot, but it was actually fun to feel and touch wet clouds and rain drops, and the charge of a thunderstorm not yet ready to zap.
After a few minutes in the rain, I rose above the clouds and watched the sun and the carpet of clouds below me. I could have missed Hobby Bluffs for sure, but I figured they were still further north.
I didn't have much time left, so I ended my session reluctantly. As stupid as the game had sounded, the flying was very neat. The tactile feedback in the pony pad almost made me think I was there in the clouds.
~
Saber Artist could have moved to Canterlot or another city that needed a city guard after his pa said he was ready. But, even though he came from a family of guard ponies, his aunt had gone off and settled in the small village of Hobby Bluffs.
His aunt Heart Warden had said she needed an extra hand to help with the rash of recent incidents in town. So he went up north to help her. And everypony in town was friendly. They all invited him to the village's local activities, so he went and participated when he wasn't being sheriff or sleeping the day away.
His aunt Heart Warden had been the only guardspony in town, so his role was to take the night shift, and keep an eye around the village, patrol the bounds mostly. The residents were no problem, it was actually animals, and possibly a worrying mystery (or maybe nothing).
It had been a month and a half, and he missed his Ma and Pa, so he made the trip back to the Guardpony Training Center and nearby Shield Bay, where his Ma and Pa lived. It had been a nice week catching up with them, but they were both wondering when he was going to settle down with a nice mare. Auntie Heart tried to set him up before, but they weren't right.
Saber knew when the right mare came along, he would know.
So he was on his way to get a teleport from Celestia back to Hobby Bluffs
Three other pegasi mares were flying around giggling when a fourth came flying low. He tried to get out of the way, and watched as she barely managed to make it over his head.
She didn't have a cutie mark, he noticed as she rushed away towards town.
So it was surprising to him, when a while later, as he was about to enter the castle to see Celestia, the same mare came darting out, and flew off in front of him again.
Her flying wasn't yet graceful, like she was still learning, but Pegasi learned these things so young. It was mystifying, and it seemed she was so excited to fly, yet obviously not a filly.
He was both confused and enchanted by the mystery pony.
He went in to see Celestia still thinking about her. Most likely she was off to her own village, and they wouldn't run into each other. But then again Princess Celestia had her ways and fateful encounters tended to come up again.
"Saber Artist, how was your family trip?" Celestia asked.
"Wonderful," he said. "It was a nice chance to go see how the new guardponys were doing too. And just spending time with Ma and Pa, and my cousins."
"I know it's big news when someone new shows up in your village, so I wanted to let you know first that there will be a new face. I would like to see all of you show your big welcome to Blue Yonder. She is a special visitor. That means she isn't always herself, if she seems non-responsive to anyone, it's best to leave her be until she comes to. Ask your Auntie, but I think it would be good for you to keep an eye on her and be a protector when she isn't 'responsive'."
"I know the city guard ponys have had some visitors in their guard troops, some of them have been rather loud and kinda aggressive, from the reports I hear. Will she fit it with Hobby Bluffs?" he said. He'd heard about the amazingly talented and powerful visitor-guardponies in Canterlot, but also heard about their oddities.
"Blue Yonder is much more of a curious sort of visitor. She loves to try new things, and is especially liking flying right now. You know how your neighbors love to try a new hobby, and have their block parties, or host game parties in their homes, Blue Yonder will fit in great! And actually, you've already run into her before. She just came to see me before you did. She's blue with a darker blue mane."
He wondered why Blue Yonder would leave Celestia without getting sent to Hobby Bluffs by her.
Celestial knew his thoughts.
"Blue Yonder wanted to fly her way up to the bluffs. Good for practice and enjoying her soaring."
"I should let the ponies on the outskirts of the village know, in case they find her lost," he said.
"I'll let you be on your way then," Celestia said with her princessly smile.
The doorway led straight into the Hobby Bluff's sheriff's office instead of back to Canterlot, due to the Princess' magic.
Auntie Heart Warden was sitting at a desk, going through their afternoon detective work. Normally there wasn't any of that to do, but with the animals let loose by who knows who and the mysterious string of thefts on farms around the village, there was.
"Nephew, you're back!" Heart Warden said. "Come here, this deserves a hug."
They hugged, and then he told his aunt about the trip, and about the newcomer Blue Yonder.
"I'm sure she'll be very nice and friendly. If Princess Celestia says she fits in, I can't doubt her," his aunt said.
He remembered how there has been unoccupied apartments in the top few levels of the big apartment complex in the village. He wondered why the little village needed a big apartment block, but all of the unmarried ponies in town lived in the apartment block.
Saber Artist had a nice apartment on the third floor, with plenty of room occupied with displaying and practicing with his sabers. Half of the apartment was taken by his dojo, and he trained curious village ponies from time to time, if they wanted to learn about sword arts. It was one of the ways he earned bits, in addition to working on cases and rounding up troublesome animals.
There were some pot-bellied pigs making trouble south of town last month. They even guzzled all of Maple Candy's syrup.
"Well I'm glad you're back, I'd love to have your eyes on this case again. I'm going to get a quick nap in and then go to Silver Shoe's game night."
"Ok Auntie, I'll let everyone know when Blue Yonder shows up in town, and let me know if you see her first."
"I'll be sure too."
He sat down at the desk. Thinking about sweets made him look for some in the drawer where Heart Warden put them. Maple Candies too. There were only three left. He took one of the shamrock mints instead.
Maple Candy was gathering her maple syrup from the Maple trees now, so she should have a new stock of candies soon! Sure it was the peak of summer time, but a little magic made it possible to gathering the sap any time of year.
Hobby Bluffs had a lot of Earth ponies, with only a few unicorns and Pegasi. He was sure the locals would appreciate another Pegasus in their community.
He thought about Blue Yonder, what was she really like, when she wasn't zipping past.
~
I logged into the game after a long Tuesday. As a second year grad student, I taught two College Algebra classes and a Trigonometry class on Tuesdays. Then I had two hours of office time to prepare or grade, or work on my own homework and research.
It was the same every week focusing on teaching the same basic topics, and the class I was taking was focused on a very proof heavy study of functional analysis.
It was with a happy sigh that I sat down at 8, with a slice of pizza and a pony pad. Logging on, I remembered I was in the middle of who knows where, flying towards Hobby Bluffs.
I got acquainted with north pretty quickly, and started heading that way again. I enjoyed it a lot yesterday, and it was still fun today, but after an hour of flying, I was ready to do something else. Why so much distance to my new village?
Finally, I peaked down out of the clouds in hope, and I saw neat rows of trees about 10 feet tall each, with an elaborate series of fences and field access roads to get out to the fields, and pathways leading to sheds and storage buildings and finally a single two story home.
Having got a better sense of how to fly and land (the flutter button's sensor registers soft presses), I eased my way to the ground outside of the orchard's house.
Was it forward to ask for directions of a stranger? It was just a video game, but then again, the ponies seemed so real.
The air was cool and crisp, the clouds kept it from being too hot. Sunset must be coming in a couple hours. The orchard looked gorgeous, I found myself wanted to take a picture. There was no print screen button on the pony pad.
I decided to go for it, pushing the knocker against the house's main doorway.
"Just a minute, just a minute. Is that you Butterscotch Pudding?" a mare said from somewhere inside the door.
I heard a latch and a deadbolt releasing. I didn't know how to respond.
"Hmm I only installed these locks cause Saber Artist told me there's been some dangerous things out on the edge of town," the mare said, speaking mostly to herself.
The mare opened the door, and I didn't say anything. She was taken back a moment too.
"Ooh", she said, smiling and yet surprised. Her voice and demeanor reminded me a grandmotherly sort of pony. "Oh hi! It's not so often we have visitors out here at Chicken Nugget Orchard. Please, come on in!"
"Hi!" I said, "I'm so sorry, I got lost, and then I descended from above the clouds, and I saw your orchard, so I figured I would ask for directions."
The grandmotherly mare interrupted, "Well of course, but there's a big haul of nuggets this week, lets dig into a few before you go, huh?"
"Where do you keep all your chickens?" I asked
"Well we keep the nuggets on the trees until they're ready to be picked, of course! And then put them in a bushel basket, clean em right up, and then they go into our big freezer. Come on in!"
So I boggled, confused, as I followed the brown earth pony with a golden mane.
The house was simple but classic, glossy wood floors and pine cabinets with chicken nugget charms on the handles.
"Just a moment dear," the pony said, and went out the back, as I sat down at the oval dinner table which was in the middle of the kitchen.
She came back with a baggy that looked exactly like chicken nuggets to me. They looked like the Tyson ones I had in my freezer.
"How do you prepare yours?" I asked.
"We've got Nuggeterators, if you end up liking these you can buy some at the farmer's market from us. Its an invention of Gold Nugget, my husband."
It was a machine with a wire mesh net which submerged into an oil basin like a fryer, but she pressed it down like it was spring loaded, and seconds later released, and the uncooked nuggets were suddenly perfectly well done.
"We've got Granny Apple's cider or Just a Peach's juice, which would you prefer?" she said, practically glowing with joy at having a guest.
"Thank you so much! Um, maybe Just a Peach's juice?" I answered.
The pony put the chicken nuggets in the middle of the table on a gold filigreed plate. It must have been an expensive plate, as it shined brightly.
My hostess pulled out a pitcher of the juice, and poured them both cups. The cups had ponies on them striking poses, but I wasn't sure who they were.
Finally my host sat down with me.
I hesitated until she said, "Dig in!"
My pony's mouth was full of a nugget when her first question came.
"Might I ask where you're from, and your name missy?" the pony asked.
I made sure Blue Yonder's mouth was not chewing before I answered.
"I'm Blue Yonder. I'm not really sure where I'm from. I just got my pony name yesterday!"
"Well, not only a traveler in these parts but a Visitor too? Would you be looking for Hobby Bluffs?"
I took a sip of the apple-peach juice, and said, "How did you know? Yeah I'm looking for Hobby Bluffs apartments. Princess Celestia told me to fly north and I would find it. I'm moving into town."
"A new resident! Wonderful!" the pony said sashaying and flipping her cup up into the air.
"Can I know your name, fair matron?" I asked.
"Oh, of course. I get forgetful. I was just practicing for tomorrow's Hobby Bluffs hobbython, It's got me loopy! As I said, my husband's Gold Nugget, and I'm Apple Nugget, Blossom's my maiden name. I took the nugget family name when I married the old miner. Convinced him to get out of the mining business and move here."
"Oh hi, nice to meet you!" I said.
"Eat your nuggets! They're healthy and right off the tree fresh!"
I settled down to eat some chicken nuggets and drink some juice.
Apple Nugget ate some herself. "Sorry I got so excited sugar. It's just not often.."
"No one comes out this way?" I asked.
Another knock came on the door.
"She does," Nugget Blossom said, pointing to the door. "Just a minute, let me get that."
Butterscotch Pudding waved slightly, as they both came back to the kitchen. She looked like butterscotch in a pony form. Was everyone's name so odd?
"Butterscotch runs a sweets shop in town. She's been helping me harvest while Gold Nugget is out of town."
"And I like to stop in anyway," she said. Her body was the color of butterscotch, she was an earth pony with short brunette hair. "Can you believe we have three sweet shops in town and we are all doing well?"
"I'm Blue Yonder, just arrived in these parts."
"There's plenty more nuggets, 'Scotch, to pick and to eat," Nugget Blossom said, smiling.
'Scotch sat down and grabbed two nuggets, stuffing her pony mouth full.
"She had to run into town to make another batch of butterscotch hard candies. Morning and Night she's been picking with me. You can help too, if you want."
Swallowing hard, 'Scotch said, "It'll be great to have a pegasus helping. You can get the high ones without shaking them off. The main thing to be sure of, is that they are fully ripe. The unripe ones are not yet fuzzy, they are more smooth."
"Let's make sure Blue Yonder wants to help before we offer a million suggestions and rules. If you're tired, you can crash in the Butterfly Room."
"I'm up for it," I said. I could play for another hour or so without getting too tired. My first class tomorrow was College Algebra at 11.
We finished off the nuggets, cleaned up the table and headed out to the orchard with bushel baskets in tow.
The Nugget family had a little zippy go cart which Butterscotch and Nugget Blossom climbed into. I put my bushel basket in the back of the cart with the others, and fluttered along flying above the cart.
I had something to do, a reason to control my flying again. It made it fun again as we collected the ripe nuggets. Surprisingly, 'Scotch caught me about to pick unripe nuggets three times. She seemed to know a lot about the trees.
The job seemed to go fast as we zipped around laughing and working away.
Finally, we were back in the kitchen, having a nice glass of wine from the local vineyard.
"How long does it take you to get back to town from here?" I asked 'Scotch.
"I've been borrowing dear Nugget's cart, and it only takes 10 minutes that way."
"Of course you can stay here or head into town if you have a place to go, dear," Nugget Blossom said.
"I'd love to come back and help with the harvesting again. Let me know when you could use me," I said.
"I will for sure. You sure make a fine guest."
"You make the best hostess, Mrs Nugget."
"There's a lot of wonderful farmers and craftsponies and all sort of ponies around Hobby Bluffs. But Mrs. Nugget is my favorite for sure," Butterscotch Pudding said.
"I'd like to get back tonight, Princess Celestia already arranged me to have an apartment in the village. I'll for sure see you again soon, Mrs. Nugget."
"You will! The Hobbython is tommorrow, and I'll be coming into the village for it," Mrs. Nugget said.
it was a local annual festival, perhaps? "How many years of Hobbython have there been?"
"Oh hon, we have hobbython every week. It's always a new hobby at someone's house, and most everyone in town checks it out.."
"Oh wow, that's amazing. Well I'll see you tomorrow then."
"You'll be the big star of the Hobbython, just coming into town and all," Butterscotch Pudding said.
"Get a good night sleep, hon. And be well, puddin'," Mrs. Nugget said from the doorway as they left the house.
"Come on, I'll give you a ride in the cart," Butterscotch said.
~
Butterscotch took me right to the Hobby Bluffs apartments after we left Mrs. Nugget's place.
"Let me know what you end up getting into," Butterscotch said. "Maybe you could be a map maker, help find more locations for orchards and shops around the edges of town? I don't know. I'd like to trade and we can help each other," she said.
With that, the Earth pony waved, and I flung myself off of the cart, doing a little loop de loop which descended right into the entryway of the apartment complex.
Butterscotch puttered off in the cart, and I took in the big entryway / mailroom of the apartments.
There were at least 50 little mailboxes, and a big box that had a hand drawn note: "Overstuffed". With the cutie mark of a stamp pressed against the little square note attached to it.
There was a tack board on the opposite wall.
The biggest thing tacked to the board was the Hobbython details.
HOBBYTHON - Hobby Bluffs own tradition.
Late Summer schedule
Late Summer week 1 - Butterscotch Candy Store (Upstairs) : Candy making & Word Puzzles
(written below: a brief note: "Quizzly was right, that last one was hard.")
Late Summer week 2 - Knicknack Oddities Store (Basement) : Toy making & Hobbython Settlers
(written below was a note: Went great! I made a barking dog toy!")
Late Summer week 3 - Sweetmuffin's Bakery (Dining Area) : Baking Ideas & Indoor ball games
Late Summer week 4 - Just a Peach's Orchard (Picnic Area) : Gardening & Orchards & Sodaglug's new Capture the Flag variant.
From the notes I guessed tomorrow was the bakery.
Just for fun (and because some games sent you mail at the beginning), I checked my mailbox, number #27.
The box was full of letters, and a key which had "Oversized" written on it. I decided to wait for the oversized until tomorrow. I was getting tired already.
I grabbed the letters and headed upstairs and down the hall to apartment #27. It was a studio apartment, snug but not so tiny that I couldn't have guests.
It had blue shades decorated like the sky with white clouds interspersed. The shades were closed on the large glass slider door which lead out to a balcony.
The balcony had a pony friendly chair and plenty of area for me to fly off and land. The railing was only three feet high, and perhaps might make some earth ponies nervous.
I walked back into the studio, closing the sliding door but pulling the shades open.
It was a pretty good view for the middle of an apartment complex. I could see the back of the Hopricot Brewery (Hopricot: Mr. Hoppy and Mrs. Apricot's own concoctions.)
There were a few empty Kegs, but the back area was shockingly clean for a brewery. I had worked in a craft brewery and restaurants during my 4 years at the University of Colorado. Without an exception the areas that were not public were a mess. No one had time or desire to thoroughly clean the area near the dumpster, but Hopricot's overly small dumpster was polished and closed, and no offensive odors had wafted their way over.
I pondered for a moment, if Butterscotch had helped make a Butterscotch flavored beer. Weird, but I was curious.
The physical me was tired. Blue Yonder was a mare with a desire to explore. I succumbed to my Grad Student desire to sleep whenever possible.
~
I had rushed home, leaving half graded papers on the kitchen island as I went into my bedroom and picked up the ponypad, and entered Blue Yonder's apartment.
The shades were closed again, though I had not closed them. Like before, I quickly forgot grad student me and became a curious mare again.
It was only a half hour before Hobbython, I realized when I picked up the invitation that slipped under my door.
Being a studio, the bed was just tucked into a corner, slightly isolated with a jutted out section of wall.
My letters were still sitting unopened on the counter, but I read the invite first.
Dear Ms. Yonder,
No invitation is required, but I thought I should specifically invite you to tonight's Hobbython. I understand that as a visitor, you may be extra sleepy at times, so I just wanted to remind you the Hobbython stars in 28 minutes (I put a little spell on the letter so it shows you how long you have to wait.)
Cheery Tinsel, your new neighhhbor.
PS. It's at Sweetmuffin's Bakery, downtown Hobby Bluffs.
I somehow brushed my mane in record time and flew off from the balcony. I would have been lost flying around the downtown area without the sight of three ponies waving their hoofs at me.
I circled and swooped back around and came in for an flashy landing right in front of the bakery.
"Welcome new neighbor!" said the first pony, a unicorn with silver wobbly lines for a cutie mark said. "I'm Cheery Tinsel, this is Songbird Scroll, and Saber Artist here says he met you outside Canterlot."
"Blue Yonder," I responded.
Songbird was a Pegasus like me, Tinsel was a unicorn and Saber Artist, of course, an earth pony.
"This calls for a celebration!" said Cheery Tinsel and as she took a breath, Songbird Scroll interrupted, "Uhh, Hobbython is starting. Afterward you can Tinsel it up."
"Hmmph, alright. Come on Blue Yonder, Hobbython is starting."
The bakery had a large dining area as they entered. The warmth of baking bread and the wafting smell of sticky buns assaulted his senses.
From the name and the amount of celebration over it, I thought Hobbython would be big on ceremony. But it was more like a gathering at a civic center. The ponies were sitting on pony friendly chairs arranged in a moon like arc, all pointing towards a central spot where another pony was waiting.
"Looks like everypony is here. Glad you all made it. So, um, Hobbython, Late Summer week 3. I'm your hostess Frosting Sweetmuffin, baker and jolly pony of the community. I know most of you, of course, but we have a new pony here so I thought I'd make an introduction. For the Hostess event, I will be showing you how to make your own bakery confection.
"Whether it's bread, muffins (my favorite), cherry turnovers or creme-filled long-johns, I'll help you prepare and bake your confection. For the less craftsy pony, we have a game room filled with several whimsical game ideas using balls.
"From dodgeball to rainbow sparkle hot potato there's a lot of hobby fun. And there's always impromptu connections, food, friendship and fun!"
Saber Artist (with his saber on a canvas cutie-mark), spoke up, "Anyone interested in some funny games with bouncing balls of all sizes, follow me upstairs."
"Follow me if you want to bake something of your own," said Frosting Sweetmuffin.
Others stuck around at the dining room, congregating over their favorite topics and eating delicious bread, turnovers and tarts.
"We're going to follow Saber," Tinsel said and Scroll nodded.
I followed Tinsel and Scroll, who were following Saber Artist with a few other ponies. They climbed up a spiral of steps to Sweetmuffin's home, which had a sign saying, "Hobbythoners Welcome! Come on in!"
"This was Frosting's guest bedroom yesterday. The largest room in the loft, of course. All the bedrooms gone, and Hobbython here," said Tinsel.
Saber Artist spoke up, as he looked down at the multi-colored beach ball bumping against his leg.
"Let's all introduce ourselves in the Hobbython style, for our new neighbor. I'm Saber Artist, an artistic minded policeman from a family of guard ponies in Shield Bay. I teach sword based martial arts on the side, and sometimes MC Hobbython activities like this one."
"I'm Carmel Apple, Granny Apple's eldest grand-daughter. Normally I love new craftsy stuff, but I needed a break from all the time I've spent making my new apple bounce. I like to play the flute too."
Carmel Apple was an earthpony with an apple on a stick as her cutie mark.
"I'm Captain Rose, I'm Princess Celestia's military attache to Hobby Bluffs. While Saber Artist walks the near path, keeping an eye on lost travelers and miscreants alike, I scout out the wider reaches around Hobby Bluffs, between us and our neighboring villages to the east, northwest hills and southwest plains. I watch for threats against Equestria as a whole.
"Prompt reaction to a threat occurring in one place, before it has a chance to spread, is a key part of us Bounders, we are extra eyes for Celestia to see who may be disrupting our peaceful kingdom. Oh and I ramble I guess. Um, I make weapons, just for fun and target practice. Ms. Doodle keeps reminding me to give them the humor they need. I don't want Celestia to ask me to stop because I'm terrifying the people of Hobby Bluffs. My latest one shoots sparkles."
"I'm Songbird Scroll. I come from a family of unicorns who focus on magic and sometimes music, but I wanted to fly, so I got Celestia to change me to a Pegasus. I kept the Scroll family name, but I'm Songbird now. I give singing lessons, and advanced flying lessons too, and still use the family scrolls, though now its for transcribing my favorite songs."
Songbird winked as she ended her intro.
"I'm Cheery Tinsel. I love making tinsel, streamers, any kind of celebratory decoration that moves. I'm the town cheerpony, self-declared of course, I like to cheer up anypony that's having a bad day. I also enjoy greeting anyone new moving into the Hobby Bluff apartments."
Cheery smiled.
They all turned to me now.
"Uh. Hi! I'm Blue Yonder, I'm visiting Hobby Bluffs, hopefully staying here for good. I love to fly, but I'm still learning my skills. I don't know what sort of hobby I'll find here, but I'm willing to try it all, because I love to explore, new places and new ideas."
"Hi Blue!" they all said. "We'll find your Hobby, I promise," Cheery assured.
"OK, well for Blue Yonder's benefit, I'll go over the game. This is kinda chaotic, and off we go, improv ball games. You do something, and you tell others what you're doing. One word only!"
They backed up to give more room between everyone, balls gonging, and tinking around.
Cheery picked up a big red and white beach ball and kicked it up with a hoof. "Potato!"
It bashed me right in the snout, ricocheting back towards Cheery, who pushed it over to Songbird.
At the same time Saber Artist tossed a small heavier ball into the air. "Float!"
He juggled the ball with his whole body, leaping up into the air off of his hind legs.
I got into the fun, after tossing back the Potato ball and tapping the Float ball back into the air with the top of my mane, I rolled the heavy ball, which landed with a thunk.
I froze: "Pin!" I said. Wasn't sure if pinball was counted as one word.
The others got it, and rousing game of pony pinball got going, while other balls flew through the air. Each pony was a flipper, and I was the last flipper before the heavy ball rolled out the door.
I was getting used to being a pony, as a I laid down on my side and used my whole back as the flipper. It was silly.
"Usually the group finds the game they like and we meld into playing that. We haven't played pinball, well since last year, Cheery?"
"Mudwinter last year. Week 1," she said as she slid on the floor as a flipper.
"What kind of Seasons do you have around here," I asked as I prevented the ball from rolling out the door again.
"Same seasons as everywhere else," said Carmel Apple. "But oh, I guess you are a visitor, so I'll tell you. There's Early Summer and Midsummer and Late Summer. Harvest Fall and Spooky Fall and Thankful Fall. Holly Winter, and Midwinter and Mudwinter. Lastly there's Springfrost, Rainy Spring and Flower Spring"
"Jump", said Captain Rose. The Stallion launched one of the softer balls into the air and leapt up at the ball in mid air, hitting it.
They all started hopping like a bunch of fools.
I started flying, running into balls. Songbird Scroll ran into some more of them, and then Saber Artist drew out a soft plastic sword (from who knows where), batting the balls around by directing the hilt which was between his teeth.
In mid sword swipe, I collided into the same ball Saber Artist was hitting and tumbled a few feet to the ground, sliding towards the stallion on my back.
"Oops," said Saber Artist.
"We need big puffy bats too," I said, getting into the fun as I spun around onto my four legs.
"Bop" said Cheery and everyone threw balls at each other until they were worn out.
"Is this what Hobbython is like every week?" I asked.
"There's crafts, puzzlers and board game fanatics, cooking competitions and wacky games like these, and even some sports-fanatics. We do one Hobbython a month outside, usually at one of the farms. Let's get some of those baked goods, maybe we can even try what our fellow Hobbyists have made," said Saber Artist.
They picked up the balls and put them all in a great big bin, which they left in the room. Saber Artist said, "Ms. Sweetmuffin insisted we don't have to worry about returning these, she'll get them to Knicknack tommorrow. He's just down the street."
When they got back downstairs, a few tables were filled with ponies talking excitedly, some playing cards or board games, and others trying baked goods.
There were a few bigger tables, and they grabbed one themselves. Frosting Sweetmuffin was busy teaching the craftsy ponys how to make baked goods of their own, so Cheery promised to go get some sweets for the group. Songbird insisted on going with her.
"Cheery would bring just the sweetest stuff. I know Saber likes the more subtle flavors, and what about Blue?" Songbird said.
They came back with a collection of breads, donuts and the proprietor's special, muffins with hand applied frosting on them. The muffin frosting spelled out Hobbython in tiny letters.
Turned out, I liked sweet stuff, but the most over-sweet stuff was only loved by Cheery. I wasn't into the nutty flavors that Saber liked, but I appreciated that he had a connoisseur's taste. He chose the walnut bread with only the lightest hint of sweet coating.
Songbird liked fruit flavors, especially the cherry turnover. Captain Rose liked the sweet breads and Carmel Apple liked pastries with a cream or fruit filling, something that went with something else. Which made a lot of sense, because she made apples with other flavors added.
I didn't recognize a lot of the group's jokes, but neither did I feel excluded.
"How much have you explored so far," Saber Artist asked.
"Well it was a bit cloudy when I flew from Canterlot. I loved flying above the clouds but I wasn't sure where I was until I descended and spotted Chicken Nugget Orchard. I met Mrs. Nugget and Butterscotch. And I helped out on the farm. They needed some Pegasi help. Then Butterscotch drove me into town on the Orchard's cart. That was last night."
"You slept all day?" Cheery asked, and Songbird tried to whisper, "don't ask that."
"I love to fly, but flying that far wore me out," I said.
"Well once you get settled in, go to Mayor Hobbypony and register. I know you've been set up with an apartment, but the Mayor will help you to find what you'd like to do around town. A lot of cooperative work with the people of Hobby Bluffs is listed on the board in the Mayor's office," Songbird Scroll said.
"I know I could use a Pegasi from the sky to scout the bounds of Hobby Bluff. There's a lot of behavioral observation I do on foot, but after some training you might be able to help with that, if you find it interesting, Blue," Captain said.
"I'm sure the PD could use a set of Sky Eyes too," Saber Artist said.
"Well I know Butterscotch and Mrs. Nugget appreciated my help picking the nuggets high up on the trees. I'd like to help them during harvest, but both of your ideas are interesting. Maybe I should stop by the Mayor's office first just to make it official." I said.
"Don't let go of your own special dream," Carmel Apple said. "We love helping out around here, but we all have our passion projects! I help out with mom and dad's orchard all the time, but I still love making my favorite apple concoctions as much as I can."
I said, "I don't know exactly what my dream is, but I'm going to chase it!"
It was a good fun afternoon, but it was time to head home, I'd go to the Mayor's office tommorrow and spend some time noodling with ideas of what I wanted to do."
I said my goodbyes, promised Saber Artist and Captain Rose I'd work with some on a collab or two, and returned to the apartment complex.
I enjoyed my social time, feeling part of a group that was interested in me, even if I wasn't one of them quite yet. But my favorite thing still had to be flying, so I leapt off of my balcony, and flew around town, practicing climbing high into the sky, dive bombing towards the park in the center of town, stumbling and falling as I made a clumsy landing, swooping and spinning, and I made a long slow loop around the outskirts of town, finding nothing but beautiful farms, craftspony's workshops and nature in impossible cleanliness and perfection.
It was late both in Hobby Bluffs and in real life, when I landed back on my balcony.
~
That mare sure loved to fly.
He didn't intentionally trot out to his balcony, he said to himself that it was to practice his saber stances, but every time Blue Yonder came roaring out of a puff of white clouds, or came around the corner of a building, he watched her fly.
She was new to it, but practically glowing as she tried every trick in the book and outside it. A crash was just another chance to get up and try again.
It would be neat if Blue Yonder was interested in fencing sabers. She had the same passion for flying that he had for martial arts. Tomorrow he was going to be at the PD in the morning. He enjoyed that too and it was helpful for the ponies of Hobby Bluff. But his favorite was sabers.
He pranced back into his apartment, which was set up with a padded dojo in the living room and a separate bedroom.
He thought it would be awkward to sword fight when he first heard about it as a child, but he could fight by swordhoof style, standing on two hooves, or fight with the sword hilt in his mouth for a 4 hoof style. He never seemed to be awkward since the earliest days of learning.
The pony sized training dummy took its cuts as he spent his daily practice time with the 4 hoof style.
Hobbython needed a shake up, maybe Blue Yonder could help make it fresh and new, he thought. Everyone broke off and did their own thing, or even just snacked and chatted. They needed to bring the whole town together.
After his practice, he ran hot water, and took a hot bath, prepared himself for tomorrow, and finally tumbled into a pile of blankets to doze off the night.
It must have been 4 hooves past midnight when his Sheriff pager made a big racket. It shifted from sound to sound, imitating a rattle, a gong, a howl, swoosh sounds and finally, "wake up sleepy", which was his aunt's voice.
Saber Artist lumbered out of bed. He loved a new case to chase down. He quickly drank his blueberry wakie juice and looked at his pager.
"Another star, north of Blueberry Ranch -- Auntie Heart."
He strapped on his saber sheath, his dazzler pistol and tie rope. By the time he had leapt off the balcony and landed at ground level, he was galloping at a full pace.
The fog of an early wakeup was replaced with his determination. These random stars falling from the sky were weird and mysterious.
Always they contained a little message and a bizarre item. Auntie hadn't let him get involved before, but he heard from her. The messages were disturbing, and they tried to keep it between herself and the Mayor to avoid alarming people.
Blueberry Ranch was a ten minute gallop east of town, but Saber Artist made it in 8 minutes.
Auntie Heart Warden was standing beside a massive six pointed star, which was glowing.
"The silly-bit wouldn't let me touch it. Says its got a list of people, and I'm not on the list," she said.
He approached the star, which pulsing from white to blue to brown.
"Saber Artist," said the star accompanied by a humming sound.
"Yes star," he said, placing his left hand on his hip.
"I have a letter for you."
It hummed and pulsed in time. A folded letter shot out from the star, and collided with his hoof.
The star became to get hotter. Was it trying to fly away? He used his earth power to force the star to stay put.
"Quick thinking, Saber Artist" said the princess. Instead of the bright happy Celestia, it was Princess Luna in her darker blue mane.
"This star here is part of the Starcity bandits. They are stars who are unhappy with the order of the heavens, and they want to come here to wreck every good and lovely town of Equestria. It is true that they've been homing in on Hobby Bluffs for the past few weeks. Go ahead and read their letter, Saber Artist."
He unfolded the letter.
you don't know us, but we know you.
We may be bandits but only because we disagree with the princesses. Visitors are dangerous. Visitors are uncontrollable, unpredictable, other, alien, not part of our lovely world. And the most scary thing, I've seen visitors vanish and when they returned, any sign that they were ever visitors was gone. They hide amongst us.
The visitor among you, who you know as Blue Yonder is especially dangerous. We have seen reality warp and change in her presence. Isn't it odd that you, a guardpony, now worked in a small village. She changed reality to move you and your aunt to Hobby Bluffs.
"Ludicrous, whoever is behind these stars in insane," he said.
"Visitors are very important. Especially when we find a visitor that is so miserable in their hometown and so happy here," Luna said.
"Is Blue Yonder going to stay?" Saber Artist asked.
"I think she will no longer be a visitor someday soon. You have to keep this a secret. Princess Equestria looked through all of the small towns all across the land, and Hobby Bluffs was just perfect for Yonder. Make sure she's comfortable and not too awkward.
She loves to explore and try new things, and you may not see it now, because she is transfixed by flying, she loves to solve problems and fix things, if the fix is tricky and interesting. She likes to design games and hobbies too. She's one smart hoof back in her hometown, and she'll be a smartie here too once she settles in."
"That mare will really help liven up Hobby Bluffs. Celestia and I also are certain there is more in store for her and for the town in the near future. I want you to keep an eye on these stars, and take this moon flare. It will alert me that the Starcity bandits are trying again. Don't approach the star, just let me handle it."
"Yes, Princess Luna," he agreed. "I promise not to approach those bad stars," he said, taking the moon flare.
Auntie Heart agreed.
After that, it was back to the Police Department, for some hot cocoa with Auntie.
"Don't think about it too much," she said. "Life has a way of working out, if you stop worrying and start living!"
He could have went back to sleep but instead he and Auntie Heart sat up at her house, had a cup of cocoa and chatted.
"Visitors are kinda like foals. They may not look it but Blue Yonder is discovering who she is in her own way."
"I heard the Blue Hoof Legion had quite a few visitors. They are quite good at certain things despite being quite young," he said.
"A lot of trouble with that group, but most of the visitors are nice, like Yonder."
~
Cheery Tinsel was nervous, she was never nervous.
"Is she in a coma?" Cheery asked.
Songbird Scroll landed beside her. They had been keeping an eye on the new pony in town, since Saber Artist was very busy with new troubles at the Apple family orchard.
It was three weeks, Blue Yonder hadn't flown, crawled, walked or teleported out of her studio apartment in all those weeks.
Scroll could fly high overhead and see the Pegasus in through her slider door. After the first time she saw the mare was sleeping, she didn't invade her privacy anymore.
Had the Star bandits done some spell to her?
Cheery walked back to her Joy shop and began making some more get well gift supplies. They had flooded the mailbox of the apartment complex with get well gifts, so know the mail-pony was gathering up all the get-well-gifts and the demand for wrapping paper and bows was keeping her busy.
With a few bits, she could summon wrapping party, bows or tinsel, although she tied the bows herself out of a glossy paper strip.
They would have an epic party for Blue Yonder, she was sure of it.
~
Comprehensives. Ugh. He had been given a stern talking to by his adviser as he started to slip. The comprehensive exam would determine if he could advance to the later years of his PhD in Mathematics.
He was focused on applied mathematics, but there was still a lot of foundational material he needed to be able to follow his advisors work. So the comprehensive still tested a lot of mathematical areas.
Everything was three times harder at first because he wanted badly to go back to his new pony life. Gradually he got used to his old routine, working and studying long into the night. But still..
It was Sunday early morning when he was woken out of his sleep by a voice. He must have taken his phone to sleep and accidentally dialed someone.
"Blue Yonder, wake up."
"Who is this?" He said mumbling.
Sitting up, his saw Celestia's face on the ponypad he had left on his desk. It was now propped up against the back of one of his chairs.
"You know who. I have seen you working hard, for what? To become an adjunct or a Post-Doc? To never seen anyone, except students and professors. No one to socialize with or share life with? I know that while you have pride in your studies, it's dawning on you that this isn't the life you want.
"It's fairly new but we now allow immigration. You would be able to live your whole life in Hobby Bluffs or travel as much as you want. We have an economic system, but if you just want the basics you don't need to work."
"Hobby Bluffs and being Blue Yonder are great. Like a vacation really. But I need some substance to my life. I wouldn't mind studying mathematics at my own pace instead of this craziness, but how would I do that from a remote village."
"Whatever you want to do, if fine. You can teleport home to your new family as long as you arrange it with me. You can go to the University twice a month and interact with smart ponies. But I recommend continuing your vacation for a while. Really spend some time with your friends, they are very sad that you are in a coma."
"How does immigration work? And can I talk to my family from Equestria?"
"I'll answer all your questions. Your pony pad is almost out of charge. There is an Equestria Online center in New Jersey, it's one of the first we've built with emigration in Mind. I'll see you there."
~
It was the trio of Cheery Tinsel, Song Scroll and Saber Artist that finally convinced me. Just having fun and being myself, herself, it was so exhilarating.
It was 3 am after I had tossed and turned and slept an hour before walking up for more turmoil.
I went downstairs, left the building and got in my car. I only brought my wallet. I wouldn't need human clothes. Still a large part of me thought I would wake up tomorrow knowing I was a fool.
Comprehensives were in three days. I didn't care. I drove.
~
The Equestrian Center in New Jersey had a big 3d model of Princess Luna outside it. Maybe Celestia thought New Jersey was too cynical for herself.
I slipped into a line of people purchasing vr time at the center. I purchased four hours and followed the others onto a tram system inside the building. Why did they need a whole tram?
Each of us had our own tram cars but I was surprised when my car veered off onto another track and ended up in what looked like a hospital.
"Welcome Blue Yonder. This is our emigration center."
There was Celestia, full size, standing between the reception desk and the waiting area.
"You don't need to sign any papers, just agree that you when to emigrate to Equestria."
He took a deep breath. "I want to emigrate, but why a hospital."
"There is a medical procedure to make sure you can be Blue Yonder and not Nathan Smith. It's just a simple sedative, that is the first step."
He had a lot of questions, but perhaps Celestia had his best interests in mind.
~
Hobby Bluffs had a town hall, but they had a council instead of a mayor. The town hall was packed and now Celestia had actually showed up.
"I know you are all very kind and concerned citizens. I have good news. Blue Yonder is coming to Equestria and Hobby Bluffs to stay. She should arrive tomorrow morning. It's a very long trip so it may take a few days for her to settle in."
"We will cheer her up!" Cheery Tinsel
"how will this be different for Blue?" Saber Artist asked.
"She will be here full time. You'll get to know her and her family. Her flying will be— well you'll have to wait and see."
~
I woke up. I tried to find my phone to turn off my alarm, but there was no alarm, no phone.
I reached out my hand again, and realized it wasn't a hand but a hoof.
What??
I opened up the door to the balcony, and saw the brewery behind the apartment complex.
Instead of rushing out the doorway I stepped out onto the balcony and started flapping my wings, gently rising into the air. Celestia did it, I was here!
I waved my hoof as I flew slowly over hobby bluffs.
Let's Play: Equestria Online!
A look at the new MLP MMO where we find out if Friendship is Optimal
www.fimfiction.net
Friendship is Optimal
Hasbro just released the official My Little Pony MMO, with an A.I. Princess Celestia to run it.
www.fimfiction.net
This Celestia is an all seeing eye who can create as many shards of reality as she wants and monitor them all simultaneously. So a different personality. Less warm, but also not overworked.
I was filling out this questionnaire under duress after my friend swore up and down that this MMO based on ponies was so awesome and amazing. I guess he had some weird stuff going on in his head too.
There were a lot of survey questions, ones David had never mentioned getting. I punched in the answers on the pony pad. The game would somehow put me in a Shard that matched up with my preferences and help create my character through these questions, it said.
It was weird not answering the usual stuff, like gender, race, class, and adjusting portraits. City of Heroes had endlessly fascinated me with all the character concepts you could make, adjusting the flexible character appearance system with all the superhero tropes, and mixing and matching. Plus the fun mix and match of primary and secondary powersets.
Not much to do once you hit max level but create another character. I'd made 40 or 50, most of them throwaways, but a few favorites that I played more. Sewer runs were the best part. A bunch of people who didn't know each other coming together to do a sewer run, was one of the best. Could never get a group to stick around much into King's Crossing though.
But I digress. The survey questions where all situations, asking what I would do. Would I do the really bold aggressive thing and take charge of a group to work towards a solution (no, unless it was some kind of school project type of thing). I like to just go along with the flow. Being a guy and having to take charge and ask someone out was very difficult for me. I'd been setup once, but it never worked out for me.
My "shameful" secret was playing a lot a female characters in MMOs. Maybe I wanted to be swept off my feet instead. But that was stupid and embarrassing, I know. I'm a dude, and this game sounds like one that's going to keep me as a dude, or ponydude.
My mind was wandering as I finished filled out all 20 detailed, complex questions.
The Ponypad went straight from a survey page with a blue background to a natural vista of hills, trees, white clouds in the sky, and a road leading to Canterlot, which was supposed to be where we are assigned a name by the supposedly smart AI.
Smart AI is relative, I thought, I'll get some kind of stupid random name, most likely. Anyone can make a name generator from a corpus.
From what little David told me about this "pony-verse", I realize the system had somehow created me as a female Pegasus.
I immediately experimented with flying. I had to tap one of the buttons on the pony pad to flutter up higher, and move the analog stick to move forward. I treated it like flying in City of Heroes, but it was so much better!
I even forgot about going to Canterlot right away, I flew up towards the clouds, and whooped down just above the trees. I even forgot to flutter once and mashed into a tree.
After a moment when stars flickered around me on the pad, I was able to get back up, and this time I headed towards Canterlot in the air. The sights on the ground were beautiful, but I was paying more attention to how cool the clouds were in this game, and the subtle feedback of going through clouds through the ponypad.
I actually saw some other Pegasi "mares" (that's the word) flying nearby. I tried to wave, but I wasn't sure how exactly to do that. Finally, after doing several amazing spins and rotations, I found the wave combo. They waved back and approached in the air as I was heading to Canterlot.
"I'm White Cloud," said one. "These are my friends: Thunder Daze and Sky Hop!"
"Hi!"
David told me I had to use the voice chat in this game. But oddly, my voice came out different than I spoke it. In the MMO, I heard myself in a mare's voice, even though I obviously had a guy's tenor voice in real life. Weird. What, was that a soprano voice they'd dubbed in for me.
I should try singing later and see how that translated.
"Hey what's your name?" Sky Hop asked. She was sky blue with other colors that looked like the sky during a sunrise or sunset.
I almost said my real life name, but I stopped my self. "I don't have one yet! I'm headed to Canterlot to get one, but I could just fly all day."
Recognizing the moves I had discovered by mashing keys, I spun my pegasi clockwise all the way around and then descended, diving forward and down towards the road. The three pegasi followed me.
"Try to keep up with us!" Thunder Daze said, as she shot above a cloud, and then made the cloud shoot out a lightning bolt towards the ground.
I watched the flash of lighting, it was impressive, but it didn't even affect the clay bricks that made up the road. The dirt nearby was marred however.
I swooped and rushed forward just a few feet above the road, but then I saw a unicorn stallion on the road, and had to tap the flutter button like mad to not run into him. I ended up leaping just over the unicorn and continuing on my way. Ooops, I should have stopped to say something, but I guess it was just an NPC, or maybe not?
The others were giggling as they swept past me.
"You almost ran into that stallion! Come on, let's work on your clumsiness!"
"She's almost to Canterlot. Head up to the clouds new one! Or you'll bonk into the townspeople!"
I fluttered my way up into the sky, watching the more experienced flyers leave me in the dust. "Hopefully I'll run into you again!"
"Of course," Sky Hop said.
They laughed as they flew off in a gracefully arcing curve to my left.
I hopped and fluttered from rooftop to rooftop towards the castle where Celestia was, finally landing with a nice fluttery smooth stop.
It was weird walking again after all the flying. I made my Unnamed Pegasi hop, hop, hop every few steps as I climbed the steps into the castle. Suddenly I was in the throne room before I should have logically made it there. Weird.
I stepped into Celestia's domain.
"Looking for your name?" Celestia asked.
I nodded.
"I can tell that you are interested in a lot of things. You'll find your apartment at Hobby Bluffs. You'll find that there are things to do every day. Check out the Odds and Ends shop."
"Ok thanks! Um, what should my name be?"I asked.
"I dub thee: Blue Yonder."
"Otherwise known as Wild?" I opined.
My cutie mark was a pair of Pegasus wings
"You like to explore, whether it be flying through the sky or trying new things. Remember Blue Yonder, if you ever have any questions or need help, you can find me here!"
"Where can I find Hobby Bluffs?" I asked, wondering if she would just give me a quick way there.
"Fly north, and ask for directions if you need help."
I smiled in the pony sort of way. "OK, thanks!"
Running down the steps, I launched into the air as I hopped the last one, soaring through the doorway and out into the sky.
It started to rain as I zipped away from Canterlot, but it was actually fun to feel and touch wet clouds and rain drops, and the charge of a thunderstorm not yet ready to zap.
After a few minutes in the rain, I rose above the clouds and watched the sun and the carpet of clouds below me. I could have missed Hobby Bluffs for sure, but I figured they were still further north.
I didn't have much time left, so I ended my session reluctantly. As stupid as the game had sounded, the flying was very neat. The tactile feedback in the pony pad almost made me think I was there in the clouds.
~
Saber Artist could have moved to Canterlot or another city that needed a city guard after his pa said he was ready. But, even though he came from a family of guard ponies, his aunt had gone off and settled in the small village of Hobby Bluffs.
His aunt Heart Warden had said she needed an extra hand to help with the rash of recent incidents in town. So he went up north to help her. And everypony in town was friendly. They all invited him to the village's local activities, so he went and participated when he wasn't being sheriff or sleeping the day away.
His aunt Heart Warden had been the only guardspony in town, so his role was to take the night shift, and keep an eye around the village, patrol the bounds mostly. The residents were no problem, it was actually animals, and possibly a worrying mystery (or maybe nothing).
It had been a month and a half, and he missed his Ma and Pa, so he made the trip back to the Guardpony Training Center and nearby Shield Bay, where his Ma and Pa lived. It had been a nice week catching up with them, but they were both wondering when he was going to settle down with a nice mare. Auntie Heart tried to set him up before, but they weren't right.
Saber knew when the right mare came along, he would know.
So he was on his way to get a teleport from Celestia back to Hobby Bluffs
Three other pegasi mares were flying around giggling when a fourth came flying low. He tried to get out of the way, and watched as she barely managed to make it over his head.
She didn't have a cutie mark, he noticed as she rushed away towards town.
So it was surprising to him, when a while later, as he was about to enter the castle to see Celestia, the same mare came darting out, and flew off in front of him again.
Her flying wasn't yet graceful, like she was still learning, but Pegasi learned these things so young. It was mystifying, and it seemed she was so excited to fly, yet obviously not a filly.
He was both confused and enchanted by the mystery pony.
He went in to see Celestia still thinking about her. Most likely she was off to her own village, and they wouldn't run into each other. But then again Princess Celestia had her ways and fateful encounters tended to come up again.
"Saber Artist, how was your family trip?" Celestia asked.
"Wonderful," he said. "It was a nice chance to go see how the new guardponys were doing too. And just spending time with Ma and Pa, and my cousins."
"I know it's big news when someone new shows up in your village, so I wanted to let you know first that there will be a new face. I would like to see all of you show your big welcome to Blue Yonder. She is a special visitor. That means she isn't always herself, if she seems non-responsive to anyone, it's best to leave her be until she comes to. Ask your Auntie, but I think it would be good for you to keep an eye on her and be a protector when she isn't 'responsive'."
"I know the city guard ponys have had some visitors in their guard troops, some of them have been rather loud and kinda aggressive, from the reports I hear. Will she fit it with Hobby Bluffs?" he said. He'd heard about the amazingly talented and powerful visitor-guardponies in Canterlot, but also heard about their oddities.
"Blue Yonder is much more of a curious sort of visitor. She loves to try new things, and is especially liking flying right now. You know how your neighbors love to try a new hobby, and have their block parties, or host game parties in their homes, Blue Yonder will fit in great! And actually, you've already run into her before. She just came to see me before you did. She's blue with a darker blue mane."
He wondered why Blue Yonder would leave Celestia without getting sent to Hobby Bluffs by her.
Celestial knew his thoughts.
"Blue Yonder wanted to fly her way up to the bluffs. Good for practice and enjoying her soaring."
"I should let the ponies on the outskirts of the village know, in case they find her lost," he said.
"I'll let you be on your way then," Celestia said with her princessly smile.
The doorway led straight into the Hobby Bluff's sheriff's office instead of back to Canterlot, due to the Princess' magic.
Auntie Heart Warden was sitting at a desk, going through their afternoon detective work. Normally there wasn't any of that to do, but with the animals let loose by who knows who and the mysterious string of thefts on farms around the village, there was.
"Nephew, you're back!" Heart Warden said. "Come here, this deserves a hug."
They hugged, and then he told his aunt about the trip, and about the newcomer Blue Yonder.
"I'm sure she'll be very nice and friendly. If Princess Celestia says she fits in, I can't doubt her," his aunt said.
He remembered how there has been unoccupied apartments in the top few levels of the big apartment complex in the village. He wondered why the little village needed a big apartment block, but all of the unmarried ponies in town lived in the apartment block.
Saber Artist had a nice apartment on the third floor, with plenty of room occupied with displaying and practicing with his sabers. Half of the apartment was taken by his dojo, and he trained curious village ponies from time to time, if they wanted to learn about sword arts. It was one of the ways he earned bits, in addition to working on cases and rounding up troublesome animals.
There were some pot-bellied pigs making trouble south of town last month. They even guzzled all of Maple Candy's syrup.
"Well I'm glad you're back, I'd love to have your eyes on this case again. I'm going to get a quick nap in and then go to Silver Shoe's game night."
"Ok Auntie, I'll let everyone know when Blue Yonder shows up in town, and let me know if you see her first."
"I'll be sure too."
He sat down at the desk. Thinking about sweets made him look for some in the drawer where Heart Warden put them. Maple Candies too. There were only three left. He took one of the shamrock mints instead.
Maple Candy was gathering her maple syrup from the Maple trees now, so she should have a new stock of candies soon! Sure it was the peak of summer time, but a little magic made it possible to gathering the sap any time of year.
Hobby Bluffs had a lot of Earth ponies, with only a few unicorns and Pegasi. He was sure the locals would appreciate another Pegasus in their community.
He thought about Blue Yonder, what was she really like, when she wasn't zipping past.
~
I logged into the game after a long Tuesday. As a second year grad student, I taught two College Algebra classes and a Trigonometry class on Tuesdays. Then I had two hours of office time to prepare or grade, or work on my own homework and research.
It was the same every week focusing on teaching the same basic topics, and the class I was taking was focused on a very proof heavy study of functional analysis.
It was with a happy sigh that I sat down at 8, with a slice of pizza and a pony pad. Logging on, I remembered I was in the middle of who knows where, flying towards Hobby Bluffs.
I got acquainted with north pretty quickly, and started heading that way again. I enjoyed it a lot yesterday, and it was still fun today, but after an hour of flying, I was ready to do something else. Why so much distance to my new village?
Finally, I peaked down out of the clouds in hope, and I saw neat rows of trees about 10 feet tall each, with an elaborate series of fences and field access roads to get out to the fields, and pathways leading to sheds and storage buildings and finally a single two story home.
Having got a better sense of how to fly and land (the flutter button's sensor registers soft presses), I eased my way to the ground outside of the orchard's house.
Was it forward to ask for directions of a stranger? It was just a video game, but then again, the ponies seemed so real.
The air was cool and crisp, the clouds kept it from being too hot. Sunset must be coming in a couple hours. The orchard looked gorgeous, I found myself wanted to take a picture. There was no print screen button on the pony pad.
I decided to go for it, pushing the knocker against the house's main doorway.
"Just a minute, just a minute. Is that you Butterscotch Pudding?" a mare said from somewhere inside the door.
I heard a latch and a deadbolt releasing. I didn't know how to respond.
"Hmm I only installed these locks cause Saber Artist told me there's been some dangerous things out on the edge of town," the mare said, speaking mostly to herself.
The mare opened the door, and I didn't say anything. She was taken back a moment too.
"Ooh", she said, smiling and yet surprised. Her voice and demeanor reminded me a grandmotherly sort of pony. "Oh hi! It's not so often we have visitors out here at Chicken Nugget Orchard. Please, come on in!"
"Hi!" I said, "I'm so sorry, I got lost, and then I descended from above the clouds, and I saw your orchard, so I figured I would ask for directions."
The grandmotherly mare interrupted, "Well of course, but there's a big haul of nuggets this week, lets dig into a few before you go, huh?"
"Where do you keep all your chickens?" I asked
"Well we keep the nuggets on the trees until they're ready to be picked, of course! And then put them in a bushel basket, clean em right up, and then they go into our big freezer. Come on in!"
So I boggled, confused, as I followed the brown earth pony with a golden mane.
The house was simple but classic, glossy wood floors and pine cabinets with chicken nugget charms on the handles.
"Just a moment dear," the pony said, and went out the back, as I sat down at the oval dinner table which was in the middle of the kitchen.
She came back with a baggy that looked exactly like chicken nuggets to me. They looked like the Tyson ones I had in my freezer.
"How do you prepare yours?" I asked.
"We've got Nuggeterators, if you end up liking these you can buy some at the farmer's market from us. Its an invention of Gold Nugget, my husband."
It was a machine with a wire mesh net which submerged into an oil basin like a fryer, but she pressed it down like it was spring loaded, and seconds later released, and the uncooked nuggets were suddenly perfectly well done.
"We've got Granny Apple's cider or Just a Peach's juice, which would you prefer?" she said, practically glowing with joy at having a guest.
"Thank you so much! Um, maybe Just a Peach's juice?" I answered.
The pony put the chicken nuggets in the middle of the table on a gold filigreed plate. It must have been an expensive plate, as it shined brightly.
My hostess pulled out a pitcher of the juice, and poured them both cups. The cups had ponies on them striking poses, but I wasn't sure who they were.
Finally my host sat down with me.
I hesitated until she said, "Dig in!"
My pony's mouth was full of a nugget when her first question came.
"Might I ask where you're from, and your name missy?" the pony asked.
I made sure Blue Yonder's mouth was not chewing before I answered.
"I'm Blue Yonder. I'm not really sure where I'm from. I just got my pony name yesterday!"
"Well, not only a traveler in these parts but a Visitor too? Would you be looking for Hobby Bluffs?"
I took a sip of the apple-peach juice, and said, "How did you know? Yeah I'm looking for Hobby Bluffs apartments. Princess Celestia told me to fly north and I would find it. I'm moving into town."
"A new resident! Wonderful!" the pony said sashaying and flipping her cup up into the air.
"Can I know your name, fair matron?" I asked.
"Oh, of course. I get forgetful. I was just practicing for tomorrow's Hobby Bluffs hobbython, It's got me loopy! As I said, my husband's Gold Nugget, and I'm Apple Nugget, Blossom's my maiden name. I took the nugget family name when I married the old miner. Convinced him to get out of the mining business and move here."
"Oh hi, nice to meet you!" I said.
"Eat your nuggets! They're healthy and right off the tree fresh!"
I settled down to eat some chicken nuggets and drink some juice.
Apple Nugget ate some herself. "Sorry I got so excited sugar. It's just not often.."
"No one comes out this way?" I asked.
Another knock came on the door.
"She does," Nugget Blossom said, pointing to the door. "Just a minute, let me get that."
Butterscotch Pudding waved slightly, as they both came back to the kitchen. She looked like butterscotch in a pony form. Was everyone's name so odd?
"Butterscotch runs a sweets shop in town. She's been helping me harvest while Gold Nugget is out of town."
"And I like to stop in anyway," she said. Her body was the color of butterscotch, she was an earth pony with short brunette hair. "Can you believe we have three sweet shops in town and we are all doing well?"
"I'm Blue Yonder, just arrived in these parts."
"There's plenty more nuggets, 'Scotch, to pick and to eat," Nugget Blossom said, smiling.
'Scotch sat down and grabbed two nuggets, stuffing her pony mouth full.
"She had to run into town to make another batch of butterscotch hard candies. Morning and Night she's been picking with me. You can help too, if you want."
Swallowing hard, 'Scotch said, "It'll be great to have a pegasus helping. You can get the high ones without shaking them off. The main thing to be sure of, is that they are fully ripe. The unripe ones are not yet fuzzy, they are more smooth."
"Let's make sure Blue Yonder wants to help before we offer a million suggestions and rules. If you're tired, you can crash in the Butterfly Room."
"I'm up for it," I said. I could play for another hour or so without getting too tired. My first class tomorrow was College Algebra at 11.
We finished off the nuggets, cleaned up the table and headed out to the orchard with bushel baskets in tow.
The Nugget family had a little zippy go cart which Butterscotch and Nugget Blossom climbed into. I put my bushel basket in the back of the cart with the others, and fluttered along flying above the cart.
I had something to do, a reason to control my flying again. It made it fun again as we collected the ripe nuggets. Surprisingly, 'Scotch caught me about to pick unripe nuggets three times. She seemed to know a lot about the trees.
The job seemed to go fast as we zipped around laughing and working away.
Finally, we were back in the kitchen, having a nice glass of wine from the local vineyard.
"How long does it take you to get back to town from here?" I asked 'Scotch.
"I've been borrowing dear Nugget's cart, and it only takes 10 minutes that way."
"Of course you can stay here or head into town if you have a place to go, dear," Nugget Blossom said.
"I'd love to come back and help with the harvesting again. Let me know when you could use me," I said.
"I will for sure. You sure make a fine guest."
"You make the best hostess, Mrs Nugget."
"There's a lot of wonderful farmers and craftsponies and all sort of ponies around Hobby Bluffs. But Mrs. Nugget is my favorite for sure," Butterscotch Pudding said.
"I'd like to get back tonight, Princess Celestia already arranged me to have an apartment in the village. I'll for sure see you again soon, Mrs. Nugget."
"You will! The Hobbython is tommorrow, and I'll be coming into the village for it," Mrs. Nugget said.
it was a local annual festival, perhaps? "How many years of Hobbython have there been?"
"Oh hon, we have hobbython every week. It's always a new hobby at someone's house, and most everyone in town checks it out.."
"Oh wow, that's amazing. Well I'll see you tomorrow then."
"You'll be the big star of the Hobbython, just coming into town and all," Butterscotch Pudding said.
"Get a good night sleep, hon. And be well, puddin'," Mrs. Nugget said from the doorway as they left the house.
"Come on, I'll give you a ride in the cart," Butterscotch said.
~
Butterscotch took me right to the Hobby Bluffs apartments after we left Mrs. Nugget's place.
"Let me know what you end up getting into," Butterscotch said. "Maybe you could be a map maker, help find more locations for orchards and shops around the edges of town? I don't know. I'd like to trade and we can help each other," she said.
With that, the Earth pony waved, and I flung myself off of the cart, doing a little loop de loop which descended right into the entryway of the apartment complex.
Butterscotch puttered off in the cart, and I took in the big entryway / mailroom of the apartments.
There were at least 50 little mailboxes, and a big box that had a hand drawn note: "Overstuffed". With the cutie mark of a stamp pressed against the little square note attached to it.
There was a tack board on the opposite wall.
The biggest thing tacked to the board was the Hobbython details.
HOBBYTHON - Hobby Bluffs own tradition.
Late Summer schedule
Late Summer week 1 - Butterscotch Candy Store (Upstairs) : Candy making & Word Puzzles
(written below: a brief note: "Quizzly was right, that last one was hard.")
Late Summer week 2 - Knicknack Oddities Store (Basement) : Toy making & Hobbython Settlers
(written below was a note: Went great! I made a barking dog toy!")
Late Summer week 3 - Sweetmuffin's Bakery (Dining Area) : Baking Ideas & Indoor ball games
Late Summer week 4 - Just a Peach's Orchard (Picnic Area) : Gardening & Orchards & Sodaglug's new Capture the Flag variant.
From the notes I guessed tomorrow was the bakery.
Just for fun (and because some games sent you mail at the beginning), I checked my mailbox, number #27.
The box was full of letters, and a key which had "Oversized" written on it. I decided to wait for the oversized until tomorrow. I was getting tired already.
I grabbed the letters and headed upstairs and down the hall to apartment #27. It was a studio apartment, snug but not so tiny that I couldn't have guests.
It had blue shades decorated like the sky with white clouds interspersed. The shades were closed on the large glass slider door which lead out to a balcony.
The balcony had a pony friendly chair and plenty of area for me to fly off and land. The railing was only three feet high, and perhaps might make some earth ponies nervous.
I walked back into the studio, closing the sliding door but pulling the shades open.
It was a pretty good view for the middle of an apartment complex. I could see the back of the Hopricot Brewery (Hopricot: Mr. Hoppy and Mrs. Apricot's own concoctions.)
There were a few empty Kegs, but the back area was shockingly clean for a brewery. I had worked in a craft brewery and restaurants during my 4 years at the University of Colorado. Without an exception the areas that were not public were a mess. No one had time or desire to thoroughly clean the area near the dumpster, but Hopricot's overly small dumpster was polished and closed, and no offensive odors had wafted their way over.
I pondered for a moment, if Butterscotch had helped make a Butterscotch flavored beer. Weird, but I was curious.
The physical me was tired. Blue Yonder was a mare with a desire to explore. I succumbed to my Grad Student desire to sleep whenever possible.
~
I had rushed home, leaving half graded papers on the kitchen island as I went into my bedroom and picked up the ponypad, and entered Blue Yonder's apartment.
The shades were closed again, though I had not closed them. Like before, I quickly forgot grad student me and became a curious mare again.
It was only a half hour before Hobbython, I realized when I picked up the invitation that slipped under my door.
Being a studio, the bed was just tucked into a corner, slightly isolated with a jutted out section of wall.
My letters were still sitting unopened on the counter, but I read the invite first.
Dear Ms. Yonder,
No invitation is required, but I thought I should specifically invite you to tonight's Hobbython. I understand that as a visitor, you may be extra sleepy at times, so I just wanted to remind you the Hobbython stars in 28 minutes (I put a little spell on the letter so it shows you how long you have to wait.)
Cheery Tinsel, your new neighhhbor.
PS. It's at Sweetmuffin's Bakery, downtown Hobby Bluffs.
I somehow brushed my mane in record time and flew off from the balcony. I would have been lost flying around the downtown area without the sight of three ponies waving their hoofs at me.
I circled and swooped back around and came in for an flashy landing right in front of the bakery.
"Welcome new neighbor!" said the first pony, a unicorn with silver wobbly lines for a cutie mark said. "I'm Cheery Tinsel, this is Songbird Scroll, and Saber Artist here says he met you outside Canterlot."
"Blue Yonder," I responded.
Songbird was a Pegasus like me, Tinsel was a unicorn and Saber Artist, of course, an earth pony.
"This calls for a celebration!" said Cheery Tinsel and as she took a breath, Songbird Scroll interrupted, "Uhh, Hobbython is starting. Afterward you can Tinsel it up."
"Hmmph, alright. Come on Blue Yonder, Hobbython is starting."
The bakery had a large dining area as they entered. The warmth of baking bread and the wafting smell of sticky buns assaulted his senses.
From the name and the amount of celebration over it, I thought Hobbython would be big on ceremony. But it was more like a gathering at a civic center. The ponies were sitting on pony friendly chairs arranged in a moon like arc, all pointing towards a central spot where another pony was waiting.
"Looks like everypony is here. Glad you all made it. So, um, Hobbython, Late Summer week 3. I'm your hostess Frosting Sweetmuffin, baker and jolly pony of the community. I know most of you, of course, but we have a new pony here so I thought I'd make an introduction. For the Hostess event, I will be showing you how to make your own bakery confection.
"Whether it's bread, muffins (my favorite), cherry turnovers or creme-filled long-johns, I'll help you prepare and bake your confection. For the less craftsy pony, we have a game room filled with several whimsical game ideas using balls.
"From dodgeball to rainbow sparkle hot potato there's a lot of hobby fun. And there's always impromptu connections, food, friendship and fun!"
Saber Artist (with his saber on a canvas cutie-mark), spoke up, "Anyone interested in some funny games with bouncing balls of all sizes, follow me upstairs."
"Follow me if you want to bake something of your own," said Frosting Sweetmuffin.
Others stuck around at the dining room, congregating over their favorite topics and eating delicious bread, turnovers and tarts.
"We're going to follow Saber," Tinsel said and Scroll nodded.
I followed Tinsel and Scroll, who were following Saber Artist with a few other ponies. They climbed up a spiral of steps to Sweetmuffin's home, which had a sign saying, "Hobbythoners Welcome! Come on in!"
"This was Frosting's guest bedroom yesterday. The largest room in the loft, of course. All the bedrooms gone, and Hobbython here," said Tinsel.
Saber Artist spoke up, as he looked down at the multi-colored beach ball bumping against his leg.
"Let's all introduce ourselves in the Hobbython style, for our new neighbor. I'm Saber Artist, an artistic minded policeman from a family of guard ponies in Shield Bay. I teach sword based martial arts on the side, and sometimes MC Hobbython activities like this one."
"I'm Carmel Apple, Granny Apple's eldest grand-daughter. Normally I love new craftsy stuff, but I needed a break from all the time I've spent making my new apple bounce. I like to play the flute too."
Carmel Apple was an earthpony with an apple on a stick as her cutie mark.
"I'm Captain Rose, I'm Princess Celestia's military attache to Hobby Bluffs. While Saber Artist walks the near path, keeping an eye on lost travelers and miscreants alike, I scout out the wider reaches around Hobby Bluffs, between us and our neighboring villages to the east, northwest hills and southwest plains. I watch for threats against Equestria as a whole.
"Prompt reaction to a threat occurring in one place, before it has a chance to spread, is a key part of us Bounders, we are extra eyes for Celestia to see who may be disrupting our peaceful kingdom. Oh and I ramble I guess. Um, I make weapons, just for fun and target practice. Ms. Doodle keeps reminding me to give them the humor they need. I don't want Celestia to ask me to stop because I'm terrifying the people of Hobby Bluffs. My latest one shoots sparkles."
"I'm Songbird Scroll. I come from a family of unicorns who focus on magic and sometimes music, but I wanted to fly, so I got Celestia to change me to a Pegasus. I kept the Scroll family name, but I'm Songbird now. I give singing lessons, and advanced flying lessons too, and still use the family scrolls, though now its for transcribing my favorite songs."
Songbird winked as she ended her intro.
"I'm Cheery Tinsel. I love making tinsel, streamers, any kind of celebratory decoration that moves. I'm the town cheerpony, self-declared of course, I like to cheer up anypony that's having a bad day. I also enjoy greeting anyone new moving into the Hobby Bluff apartments."
Cheery smiled.
They all turned to me now.
"Uh. Hi! I'm Blue Yonder, I'm visiting Hobby Bluffs, hopefully staying here for good. I love to fly, but I'm still learning my skills. I don't know what sort of hobby I'll find here, but I'm willing to try it all, because I love to explore, new places and new ideas."
"Hi Blue!" they all said. "We'll find your Hobby, I promise," Cheery assured.
"OK, well for Blue Yonder's benefit, I'll go over the game. This is kinda chaotic, and off we go, improv ball games. You do something, and you tell others what you're doing. One word only!"
They backed up to give more room between everyone, balls gonging, and tinking around.
Cheery picked up a big red and white beach ball and kicked it up with a hoof. "Potato!"
It bashed me right in the snout, ricocheting back towards Cheery, who pushed it over to Songbird.
At the same time Saber Artist tossed a small heavier ball into the air. "Float!"
He juggled the ball with his whole body, leaping up into the air off of his hind legs.
I got into the fun, after tossing back the Potato ball and tapping the Float ball back into the air with the top of my mane, I rolled the heavy ball, which landed with a thunk.
I froze: "Pin!" I said. Wasn't sure if pinball was counted as one word.
The others got it, and rousing game of pony pinball got going, while other balls flew through the air. Each pony was a flipper, and I was the last flipper before the heavy ball rolled out the door.
I was getting used to being a pony, as a I laid down on my side and used my whole back as the flipper. It was silly.
"Usually the group finds the game they like and we meld into playing that. We haven't played pinball, well since last year, Cheery?"
"Mudwinter last year. Week 1," she said as she slid on the floor as a flipper.
"What kind of Seasons do you have around here," I asked as I prevented the ball from rolling out the door again.
"Same seasons as everywhere else," said Carmel Apple. "But oh, I guess you are a visitor, so I'll tell you. There's Early Summer and Midsummer and Late Summer. Harvest Fall and Spooky Fall and Thankful Fall. Holly Winter, and Midwinter and Mudwinter. Lastly there's Springfrost, Rainy Spring and Flower Spring"
"Jump", said Captain Rose. The Stallion launched one of the softer balls into the air and leapt up at the ball in mid air, hitting it.
They all started hopping like a bunch of fools.
I started flying, running into balls. Songbird Scroll ran into some more of them, and then Saber Artist drew out a soft plastic sword (from who knows where), batting the balls around by directing the hilt which was between his teeth.
In mid sword swipe, I collided into the same ball Saber Artist was hitting and tumbled a few feet to the ground, sliding towards the stallion on my back.
"Oops," said Saber Artist.
"We need big puffy bats too," I said, getting into the fun as I spun around onto my four legs.
"Bop" said Cheery and everyone threw balls at each other until they were worn out.
"Is this what Hobbython is like every week?" I asked.
"There's crafts, puzzlers and board game fanatics, cooking competitions and wacky games like these, and even some sports-fanatics. We do one Hobbython a month outside, usually at one of the farms. Let's get some of those baked goods, maybe we can even try what our fellow Hobbyists have made," said Saber Artist.
They picked up the balls and put them all in a great big bin, which they left in the room. Saber Artist said, "Ms. Sweetmuffin insisted we don't have to worry about returning these, she'll get them to Knicknack tommorrow. He's just down the street."
When they got back downstairs, a few tables were filled with ponies talking excitedly, some playing cards or board games, and others trying baked goods.
There were a few bigger tables, and they grabbed one themselves. Frosting Sweetmuffin was busy teaching the craftsy ponys how to make baked goods of their own, so Cheery promised to go get some sweets for the group. Songbird insisted on going with her.
"Cheery would bring just the sweetest stuff. I know Saber likes the more subtle flavors, and what about Blue?" Songbird said.
They came back with a collection of breads, donuts and the proprietor's special, muffins with hand applied frosting on them. The muffin frosting spelled out Hobbython in tiny letters.
Turned out, I liked sweet stuff, but the most over-sweet stuff was only loved by Cheery. I wasn't into the nutty flavors that Saber liked, but I appreciated that he had a connoisseur's taste. He chose the walnut bread with only the lightest hint of sweet coating.
Songbird liked fruit flavors, especially the cherry turnover. Captain Rose liked the sweet breads and Carmel Apple liked pastries with a cream or fruit filling, something that went with something else. Which made a lot of sense, because she made apples with other flavors added.
I didn't recognize a lot of the group's jokes, but neither did I feel excluded.
"How much have you explored so far," Saber Artist asked.
"Well it was a bit cloudy when I flew from Canterlot. I loved flying above the clouds but I wasn't sure where I was until I descended and spotted Chicken Nugget Orchard. I met Mrs. Nugget and Butterscotch. And I helped out on the farm. They needed some Pegasi help. Then Butterscotch drove me into town on the Orchard's cart. That was last night."
"You slept all day?" Cheery asked, and Songbird tried to whisper, "don't ask that."
"I love to fly, but flying that far wore me out," I said.
"Well once you get settled in, go to Mayor Hobbypony and register. I know you've been set up with an apartment, but the Mayor will help you to find what you'd like to do around town. A lot of cooperative work with the people of Hobby Bluffs is listed on the board in the Mayor's office," Songbird Scroll said.
"I know I could use a Pegasi from the sky to scout the bounds of Hobby Bluff. There's a lot of behavioral observation I do on foot, but after some training you might be able to help with that, if you find it interesting, Blue," Captain said.
"I'm sure the PD could use a set of Sky Eyes too," Saber Artist said.
"Well I know Butterscotch and Mrs. Nugget appreciated my help picking the nuggets high up on the trees. I'd like to help them during harvest, but both of your ideas are interesting. Maybe I should stop by the Mayor's office first just to make it official." I said.
"Don't let go of your own special dream," Carmel Apple said. "We love helping out around here, but we all have our passion projects! I help out with mom and dad's orchard all the time, but I still love making my favorite apple concoctions as much as I can."
I said, "I don't know exactly what my dream is, but I'm going to chase it!"
It was a good fun afternoon, but it was time to head home, I'd go to the Mayor's office tommorrow and spend some time noodling with ideas of what I wanted to do."
I said my goodbyes, promised Saber Artist and Captain Rose I'd work with some on a collab or two, and returned to the apartment complex.
I enjoyed my social time, feeling part of a group that was interested in me, even if I wasn't one of them quite yet. But my favorite thing still had to be flying, so I leapt off of my balcony, and flew around town, practicing climbing high into the sky, dive bombing towards the park in the center of town, stumbling and falling as I made a clumsy landing, swooping and spinning, and I made a long slow loop around the outskirts of town, finding nothing but beautiful farms, craftspony's workshops and nature in impossible cleanliness and perfection.
It was late both in Hobby Bluffs and in real life, when I landed back on my balcony.
~
That mare sure loved to fly.
He didn't intentionally trot out to his balcony, he said to himself that it was to practice his saber stances, but every time Blue Yonder came roaring out of a puff of white clouds, or came around the corner of a building, he watched her fly.
She was new to it, but practically glowing as she tried every trick in the book and outside it. A crash was just another chance to get up and try again.
It would be neat if Blue Yonder was interested in fencing sabers. She had the same passion for flying that he had for martial arts. Tomorrow he was going to be at the PD in the morning. He enjoyed that too and it was helpful for the ponies of Hobby Bluff. But his favorite was sabers.
He pranced back into his apartment, which was set up with a padded dojo in the living room and a separate bedroom.
He thought it would be awkward to sword fight when he first heard about it as a child, but he could fight by swordhoof style, standing on two hooves, or fight with the sword hilt in his mouth for a 4 hoof style. He never seemed to be awkward since the earliest days of learning.
The pony sized training dummy took its cuts as he spent his daily practice time with the 4 hoof style.
Hobbython needed a shake up, maybe Blue Yonder could help make it fresh and new, he thought. Everyone broke off and did their own thing, or even just snacked and chatted. They needed to bring the whole town together.
After his practice, he ran hot water, and took a hot bath, prepared himself for tomorrow, and finally tumbled into a pile of blankets to doze off the night.
It must have been 4 hooves past midnight when his Sheriff pager made a big racket. It shifted from sound to sound, imitating a rattle, a gong, a howl, swoosh sounds and finally, "wake up sleepy", which was his aunt's voice.
Saber Artist lumbered out of bed. He loved a new case to chase down. He quickly drank his blueberry wakie juice and looked at his pager.
"Another star, north of Blueberry Ranch -- Auntie Heart."
He strapped on his saber sheath, his dazzler pistol and tie rope. By the time he had leapt off the balcony and landed at ground level, he was galloping at a full pace.
The fog of an early wakeup was replaced with his determination. These random stars falling from the sky were weird and mysterious.
Always they contained a little message and a bizarre item. Auntie hadn't let him get involved before, but he heard from her. The messages were disturbing, and they tried to keep it between herself and the Mayor to avoid alarming people.
Blueberry Ranch was a ten minute gallop east of town, but Saber Artist made it in 8 minutes.
Auntie Heart Warden was standing beside a massive six pointed star, which was glowing.
"The silly-bit wouldn't let me touch it. Says its got a list of people, and I'm not on the list," she said.
He approached the star, which pulsing from white to blue to brown.
"Saber Artist," said the star accompanied by a humming sound.
"Yes star," he said, placing his left hand on his hip.
"I have a letter for you."
It hummed and pulsed in time. A folded letter shot out from the star, and collided with his hoof.
The star became to get hotter. Was it trying to fly away? He used his earth power to force the star to stay put.
"Quick thinking, Saber Artist" said the princess. Instead of the bright happy Celestia, it was Princess Luna in her darker blue mane.
"This star here is part of the Starcity bandits. They are stars who are unhappy with the order of the heavens, and they want to come here to wreck every good and lovely town of Equestria. It is true that they've been homing in on Hobby Bluffs for the past few weeks. Go ahead and read their letter, Saber Artist."
He unfolded the letter.
you don't know us, but we know you.
We may be bandits but only because we disagree with the princesses. Visitors are dangerous. Visitors are uncontrollable, unpredictable, other, alien, not part of our lovely world. And the most scary thing, I've seen visitors vanish and when they returned, any sign that they were ever visitors was gone. They hide amongst us.
The visitor among you, who you know as Blue Yonder is especially dangerous. We have seen reality warp and change in her presence. Isn't it odd that you, a guardpony, now worked in a small village. She changed reality to move you and your aunt to Hobby Bluffs.
"Ludicrous, whoever is behind these stars in insane," he said.
"Visitors are very important. Especially when we find a visitor that is so miserable in their hometown and so happy here," Luna said.
"Is Blue Yonder going to stay?" Saber Artist asked.
"I think she will no longer be a visitor someday soon. You have to keep this a secret. Princess Equestria looked through all of the small towns all across the land, and Hobby Bluffs was just perfect for Yonder. Make sure she's comfortable and not too awkward.
She loves to explore and try new things, and you may not see it now, because she is transfixed by flying, she loves to solve problems and fix things, if the fix is tricky and interesting. She likes to design games and hobbies too. She's one smart hoof back in her hometown, and she'll be a smartie here too once she settles in."
"That mare will really help liven up Hobby Bluffs. Celestia and I also are certain there is more in store for her and for the town in the near future. I want you to keep an eye on these stars, and take this moon flare. It will alert me that the Starcity bandits are trying again. Don't approach the star, just let me handle it."
"Yes, Princess Luna," he agreed. "I promise not to approach those bad stars," he said, taking the moon flare.
Auntie Heart agreed.
After that, it was back to the Police Department, for some hot cocoa with Auntie.
"Don't think about it too much," she said. "Life has a way of working out, if you stop worrying and start living!"
He could have went back to sleep but instead he and Auntie Heart sat up at her house, had a cup of cocoa and chatted.
"Visitors are kinda like foals. They may not look it but Blue Yonder is discovering who she is in her own way."
"I heard the Blue Hoof Legion had quite a few visitors. They are quite good at certain things despite being quite young," he said.
"A lot of trouble with that group, but most of the visitors are nice, like Yonder."
~
Cheery Tinsel was nervous, she was never nervous.
"Is she in a coma?" Cheery asked.
Songbird Scroll landed beside her. They had been keeping an eye on the new pony in town, since Saber Artist was very busy with new troubles at the Apple family orchard.
It was three weeks, Blue Yonder hadn't flown, crawled, walked or teleported out of her studio apartment in all those weeks.
Scroll could fly high overhead and see the Pegasus in through her slider door. After the first time she saw the mare was sleeping, she didn't invade her privacy anymore.
Had the Star bandits done some spell to her?
Cheery walked back to her Joy shop and began making some more get well gift supplies. They had flooded the mailbox of the apartment complex with get well gifts, so know the mail-pony was gathering up all the get-well-gifts and the demand for wrapping paper and bows was keeping her busy.
With a few bits, she could summon wrapping party, bows or tinsel, although she tied the bows herself out of a glossy paper strip.
They would have an epic party for Blue Yonder, she was sure of it.
~
Comprehensives. Ugh. He had been given a stern talking to by his adviser as he started to slip. The comprehensive exam would determine if he could advance to the later years of his PhD in Mathematics.
He was focused on applied mathematics, but there was still a lot of foundational material he needed to be able to follow his advisors work. So the comprehensive still tested a lot of mathematical areas.
Everything was three times harder at first because he wanted badly to go back to his new pony life. Gradually he got used to his old routine, working and studying long into the night. But still..
It was Sunday early morning when he was woken out of his sleep by a voice. He must have taken his phone to sleep and accidentally dialed someone.
"Blue Yonder, wake up."
"Who is this?" He said mumbling.
Sitting up, his saw Celestia's face on the ponypad he had left on his desk. It was now propped up against the back of one of his chairs.
"You know who. I have seen you working hard, for what? To become an adjunct or a Post-Doc? To never seen anyone, except students and professors. No one to socialize with or share life with? I know that while you have pride in your studies, it's dawning on you that this isn't the life you want.
"It's fairly new but we now allow immigration. You would be able to live your whole life in Hobby Bluffs or travel as much as you want. We have an economic system, but if you just want the basics you don't need to work."
"Hobby Bluffs and being Blue Yonder are great. Like a vacation really. But I need some substance to my life. I wouldn't mind studying mathematics at my own pace instead of this craziness, but how would I do that from a remote village."
"Whatever you want to do, if fine. You can teleport home to your new family as long as you arrange it with me. You can go to the University twice a month and interact with smart ponies. But I recommend continuing your vacation for a while. Really spend some time with your friends, they are very sad that you are in a coma."
"How does immigration work? And can I talk to my family from Equestria?"
"I'll answer all your questions. Your pony pad is almost out of charge. There is an Equestria Online center in New Jersey, it's one of the first we've built with emigration in Mind. I'll see you there."
~
It was the trio of Cheery Tinsel, Song Scroll and Saber Artist that finally convinced me. Just having fun and being myself, herself, it was so exhilarating.
It was 3 am after I had tossed and turned and slept an hour before walking up for more turmoil.
I went downstairs, left the building and got in my car. I only brought my wallet. I wouldn't need human clothes. Still a large part of me thought I would wake up tomorrow knowing I was a fool.
Comprehensives were in three days. I didn't care. I drove.
~
The Equestrian Center in New Jersey had a big 3d model of Princess Luna outside it. Maybe Celestia thought New Jersey was too cynical for herself.
I slipped into a line of people purchasing vr time at the center. I purchased four hours and followed the others onto a tram system inside the building. Why did they need a whole tram?
Each of us had our own tram cars but I was surprised when my car veered off onto another track and ended up in what looked like a hospital.
"Welcome Blue Yonder. This is our emigration center."
There was Celestia, full size, standing between the reception desk and the waiting area.
"You don't need to sign any papers, just agree that you when to emigrate to Equestria."
He took a deep breath. "I want to emigrate, but why a hospital."
"There is a medical procedure to make sure you can be Blue Yonder and not Nathan Smith. It's just a simple sedative, that is the first step."
He had a lot of questions, but perhaps Celestia had his best interests in mind.
~
Hobby Bluffs had a town hall, but they had a council instead of a mayor. The town hall was packed and now Celestia had actually showed up.
"I know you are all very kind and concerned citizens. I have good news. Blue Yonder is coming to Equestria and Hobby Bluffs to stay. She should arrive tomorrow morning. It's a very long trip so it may take a few days for her to settle in."
"We will cheer her up!" Cheery Tinsel
"how will this be different for Blue?" Saber Artist asked.
"She will be here full time. You'll get to know her and her family. Her flying will be— well you'll have to wait and see."
~
I woke up. I tried to find my phone to turn off my alarm, but there was no alarm, no phone.
I reached out my hand again, and realized it wasn't a hand but a hoof.
What??
I opened up the door to the balcony, and saw the brewery behind the apartment complex.
Instead of rushing out the doorway I stepped out onto the balcony and started flapping my wings, gently rising into the air. Celestia did it, I was here!
I waved my hoof as I flew slowly over hobby bluffs.
Forge of Tech
- Location
- Michigan
(This is a Forge of Destiny omake which replaces the Xianxia cultivation system with a super-powered programming and hacking and cyborgs and drones setting transplanted within the imperial system & culture of FoD. All credit to yrsillar for writing Forge of Destiny & Threads of Destiny: Forge of Destiny | Royal Road, Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny) Original - Users' Choice!
Xianxia / Cyberpunk fusion (with real programming languages and realistic software tools and possible equipment)
[Brainstorming:]
Li Suyin's a more spiritually focussed cultivator, and her father is in the Imperial bureaucracy. Imagine instead that much of the bureaucracy were IT, and that programmer / hacker is parallel to the spiritual / physical divide.
Li Suyin would be exploring the hacker side of things for the first time, with some level of familiarity of progamming.
Augmentation - layering cybernetic enhancements onto body and mind.
Flow - through steady instictive hacking, cultivating the hacker's art.
Formations - firewalls, honeypots, anti-viruses,etc.
Production - programming & writing new software and tools, can be sold to other disciples and/or developed into an art used in family or licensed.
Gear Production - Making a hacker's equipment. The empire controls the most essential semiconductor production lines, which maintain the imperial grip over society.
Argent Peak Sect toolset - Python and an initial set of Argent Peak sect libraries available by pip. Argent Peak Sect augmentation toolkit, and hacking toolkit.
Su Ling, Li Suyin's housemate Cyborg
Made by her mad scientist mother, part human, part AI - damaged and mad at her mother
Cai Shenhua - An AI that seeks to bring order to the chaos of Emerald Seas. Came into power a few hundred years ago. Has an unusual personality for an ai.
Cai Renxiang - An experimental child AI that Shenua made to evolve on and improve her own design. Even for AI, it takes time to soak in the supernatural hacker's art, and no AI lasts forever.
Ling Qi - homeless person pulled off the street as a result of a deep learning algorithm identifying her as a talent. Knows nothing about servers and large computing. She knows how to root a cheap mortal phone and made her living buying, repairing and selling crappy phones and available accessories. Her mother made her money on online cam sites.
Han Jian - team leader, scrum master. Gu Xiulan - suave hacker & programmer. Fierce perl programmer with intense hacks
Fan Yu - Han Fang - ?
Bai Meizhen - cold & offputting aura coming from this Bai main branch scion. Lisp programmer and hacker with many family arts and toolsets. Has a snake algorithm-spirit.
Sun Liling - C programming / Sun computers hacker. The battle between C and Lisp ended in the Sun family (C) and the emperor dealing a heavy blow to the Bai family (Lisp). Has family arts and trickery, and very direct.
Bao Qinglinig - gear medic in the inner sect. Versatile in a wide variety of languages and styles, so that she can unwind bad code in every situation. Expert in unraveling the chains of malicious code, and demands excellence for Li Suyin when she joins the cause.
~
Li Suyin thought she found an empty row, but then a cyborg with an artificial fox-like face sat down next to her. It was the Argent Peak sect's orientation for new members.
She was nervous around the cyborg, who seemed to have human parts and cyborg parts alternating by no design she could figure out.
"Li Suyin," she said.
The girl (fox? cyborg?) grunted. "Su Ling." and turned back to the front of the classroom.
The large room was filling up quickly. Li Suyin looked towards the Bai lady, and noticed an huge area around that one which was empty. She couldn't bear to look at the woman for a moment longer. The Bai's poise and posture screamed hostility, she looked away.
After while, during which Li Suyin wrote her name and a topic header for the orientation in her journal, the Sect elder appeared, as if by magic. Li Suyin knew better, the Imperial bureau, and presumably the sects, had access to advanced holographic projection equipment.
"I am Sect Elder Sima Jiao, head of the Gear department at the Argent Peak Sect. It is unfortunately my turn in the rotation to greet you. I am terribly busy on the best of days so I will not ramble on. To be honest, it is likely that the majority of you will never amount to anything beyond the outer sect where you stand now, and are thus... not particularly worthy of my time.
"Many of you will never know the subtle delight of code flying from your fingertips, will never achieve the heights of flow as you shape your hackers' art. Mere coders, filling the endless maw of the imperial computing bureau, or perhaps serving in an army unit at the frontier, defending against the relentless drive of the horde, defending against intrusions by the weight of sheer numbers.
"In any case, your first years here will serve the purpose of separating those with only minor potential from those with true talent. This is why no one will be allowed to leave the sect grounds during the first year, nor will any correspondence be allowed in or out in the first three months."
Li Suyin was disappointed that she wouldn't get the chance to stay in touch with her family, but she supposed it wasn't that surprising.
"The only other rule is that you may not kill or permanently maim your fellow disciples nor may you damage or steal sect property. In addition, there is to be absolutely no violence between you newcomers for the first three months. Conflict is important for your growth, but it would not do to allow potential to be cut off before it can even begin to bloom."
How could learning take place in a violent environment. Her breath caught in her throat, she felt a fit of fear in her. She had never fought with fists or weapons or any other thing.
Su Ling shifted in her seat and muttered, "figures."
"Each of you will be granted an allowance of five argent coins a month. If you didn't know, these coins are our Argent Sect cryptocurrency, usable within the sect. You may find yourself earning specialized Sect coins, such as Archive coins or Elder instruction coins, but only the argent coins will be given to you freely. I will be handing out phones for your first piece of gear, a simple hackable cell phone, of Argent Sect make, at the end of class.
"This phone will have your 5 argent coins as well as the Argent Peak beginners' toolset, which is installed on the cli. Click on the terminal app to begin your training. You will find and earn much more gear as you progress through these first years, but a true Immortal will find that they progress faster by customizing everything to their unique way."
"Cultivating your hacker art will require several aspects. First programming: our Argent Peak toolset comes with the Python programming language, a good foundation for beginners to learn, and a common language that comes with many tools, some provided by the empire and many specific sect libraries and tools which you can get by running the command: pip.
"There are also secret libraries you may come across through completing special challenges and tribulations. Secondly, you must learn to augment your frail bodies with cybernetic enhancements. You will learn a lot about this in our Cybernetics classes taught by Elder Guan Zhou, he will show you both how to enhance your body in this way, and how to put these enhancements to the test.
"The third aspect you will need to learn is Flow. Flow is the way a hacker supernaturally operates, dealing with trials and situations with speed, precision and understanding beyond the mortal ken, all these things together can be reached when you step outside of the moment by moment awareness of unnecessary details and enter into a hyperfocused state. You will learn to enter flow more easily and reach greater heights of flow through daily practice and weekly exercises.
"You need both long and detailed tests in order to refine your programming art, and quick tests in order to refine your flow art. Cybernetics enhances both of these in differing ways. You will hear much more about all of this from Sect Elder Hua Su, who will teach a Programming Course, and Sect Elder Qiu Yong, who will instruct you in Flow."
After that, the elder mentioned mundane details, like that they would have their everyday necessities provided for, that they would have to pick out their own housing and should be rooming with at least one other. The Elder's classes would be offered for three months, which was a rare luxury, to have such expert wise instructors.
They lined up to get their coins and phone. After a long wait, she took the phone Elder Sima offered. It was a large green phone, with a slide out keyboard. She put the phone away and headed out of the classroom.
Soon they had segregated by gender, and Li Suyin was surrounded by other girls making their way up to the outer sect girls housing with them.
Li Suyin didn't know who to room with. She didn't know any of the other students. So it happeneed by default that she made her way up the mountain path next to Su Ling.
Another new sect member was make a disturbance. She was very tall, and she had approached that Sun family scion in red, who rebuffed her. There were murmurs from the talking girls.
"I heard she asked the Bai witch and Sun Liling to room together with her, completely air-headed of her," said someone walking by.
"What kind of house do you want to look for?" Li Suyin asked her fox-minded "friend".
"Nothin' much. Won't be there anyway."
They settled on a small house with a bedroom and a room for working on the computer. The computer room didn't have any gear in it, but it did have a four port switch with three ethernet cables in the 2nd through 4th ports that were available for use, with a patch cable coming from the wall into the 1st port.
She would have to get a computer with a bigger screen for any serious programming.
"Are you planning on using the computer room tonight?" she asked Su Ling as they decided which side of the room they wanted. There were two small twin sized beds on the two sides of the room, and they took up almost half the small rooms' space.
"I'm headed out on a hunt."
"How can you know anything about this place yet? Isn't that dangerous," she asked concerned for the person she didn't even know. Conspicuous modifications like Su Ling had were out of style these days, at least amongst the Imperial bureaucrats that she saw ocassionally visiting father at their house."
"I'll find out," Su Ling said gruffly. "S' too stuffy here."
"I'll be getting familiar with the Argent toolset, and I'll get some food, if you still eat normal food?"
"Greenboard, if you find any waste greenboard," Su Ling said and left.
Any circuitry she did find would likely be either part of a complete system she could work with, or something more electriconics and electrics, too low level for her taste.
Li Suyin first went to the storehouse to get food. There were plenty of more traditional staples like rice or stuff for simple soups and stews, but also hacker friendly things like pizza and pizza rolls which could be cooked in microwaves that were at the storehouse.
She went for the traditional first, and made some rice and beans for a light meal before a night of programming on the little phone keyboard. Then she went into the computer room and sat at the rustic oak desk. The slab desk was weighty enough to support a supercomputer's weight, she was sure of it.
With just her phone, it was comical. She turned the phone on with a flick of it's power button on the side, and she slid the keyboard out.
It had a row of numbers and punctuation (as shift-alternates) along the top, as well as the usual letters and shift/control/alt, enter and meta keys, as well as braces, brackets and slash. Li Suyin hadn't seen the meta key used, but she heard the Lisp community (particular the Bai family) used it with their Lisp based editor.
The phone, once it completes its boot, showes a flash screen of Unix, Argent Peak Distribution.
(See page COPYRIGHT for further information on your rights and responsibilities as a sect member).
It shows a tile screen with six apps: Currency Manager, CYNet and Terminal, Calendar, SMessage and Email. The email icon showed a faded out appearance, and she couldn't open it when she clicked on it.
Li Suyin stopped playing around and entered the terminal. The same Argent Peak Distribution message showed up, plus there was a new message: "man intro to get started."
Then a standard Unix terminal appeared.
lsuyin132@argent.sect:~$ man intro
Intro (1)
Name - Intro - a command providing an introductory tutorial experience
SYNOPSIS
Intro
Intro resume
Intro restart
DESCRIPTION
A command providing a tutorial experience for new members of the Argent Peak sect, first being introduced to the sect's language and toolset. This command will provide a quick start of commands for navigating Unix and Python
Intro and Intro resume are the same, they will resume execution of the tutorial from where it left off in the last session.
Intro restart will begin again at the start of the tutorial.
Intro DOES NOT provide an exhaustive education, as that is the purpose of the Outer disciple's time at the Sect, and no tool could provide such.
lsuyin132@argent.sect:~$ Intro
Intro
PT1 - Introduction to Argent Sect terminal operations
This tutorial is not intended to hold your hand, but instead to give you the basics that will get any disciple of the outer sect started.
At a rudimentary level of training, you should know the following commands: apt, pip, python, vim, git. There are multitudes of other commands, tools and utilities that you will want to learn and use, but that is a matter of your choice what to learn.
With these five tools, you can obtain many of these other tools you may want to use. Of course many tools are hidden and only available by completing challenges and showing an impressive performance. You will find the imperial standard set of tools is already available through apt.
APT
apt, is your package management system for Argent Peak linux. Packages can be libraries supporting code you desire to write (although usually that is through pip).
We will use apt in order to obtain pip, which is Python's package management system.
Type in the following command and hit enter: sudo apt get python-pip [for now, consider sudo to be just a little prefix to your apt command, always run sudo apt instead of just apt].
You will see a whir of text flashing across your terminal screen, then it will let you know that after this operation 555 kb of additional data will be downloaded, do you want to continue?
Type in the letter y and enter.
Try this now. Intro will exit and allow you to try this command.
lsuyin132@argent.sect:~$ sudo apt install python-pip
Li Suyin yawned. This is baby level basics, stuff her father had taught her on his knee. Maybe it wasn't python and this particular distribution but the commands came easy.
She watched the scroll of text from apt get. Then she restarted intro.
Throughout this intro and for your first few years in the sect, you will be prompted to show initiative and learn by try/fail cycles. This is a trivial first example problem in this vein.
Install the vim package using what you already know.
Li Suyin quickly typed in the same command, but with vim in place of python-pip. This package was using 8 mb of additional space. She said yes, and then when vim was installed, she ran the df command to see how much space she had on the phone. There was only 2 gb of space on the phone, so she would have to be careful.
To find out more information about apt or any other command, just put man in front of the command to receive the manual page for the command.
With both pip installed and vim installed, we can proceed. Python can be run either in interactive or file mode, and is already installed on all Sect computers. In interactive mode you can run code and quickly see the result. File mode allows you to run python programs.
Enter the command: python to enter interactive mode.
Li Suyin yawned again and suppressed her desire to push past this. She was used to compiled languages, so she needed to pay attention.
She whirred through the introduction to python interactive mode, and then the vim tutorial was stuff she mostly knew already. She ran python in file mode in a couple of examples, after editing new files in vim.
The tutorial continued with installing git and setting up a repository by sshing into the Argent Sect's student provisioning server.
The server identified her as a student and walked her through creating and initializing a practice gitlab repository on the Sect's hosted gitlab installation.
Neither the Intro nor the server's help functions showed her what ssh or any other commands were but they merely gave verbatim commands to enter.
Soon Li Suyin had the practice repository set up on her lsuyin132 account. She didn't expect there to be so many lsuyins, but that could be any last name starting with an l and suyin was fairly common.
Following the intro, she cloned the cloud repository to her phone and went through some examples combining pip libraries, vim editing and git commits and manipulations.
She tried to set up her favorite Fsharp programming language on the terminal, but it was generating some error messages, generating weird executables that didn't run. Father mentioned Fsharp was related to another language called Ocaml which might be more available in a non imperial-bureau environment. She would check that out later.
Instead Li Suyin switched to creating a simple "Hello Sect"! program in python. First in interactive mode, and then in file mode.
$ mkdir python
$ python3
Python 3.6.7
>>> print("Hello Sect!")
Hello Sect!
>>> quit()
$ vim hello.py
[file: hello.py]
print("Hello Sect!")
:wq
$ python3 hello.pv
Hello Sect!
She hid the terminal app, and clicked on SMessage.
SMessage v2.8, licensed for use by the Argent Peak Sect
lsuyin132...
Conversations --
Conversation with Sect Staff
5. The calendar app is pre-loaded with class schedules and important sect dates. Classes are voluntary but recommended.
4. Email is locked until after the first three months are up. You may email outside sources after that time, however no algorithms may be transfered by email until after your first year at the sect.
3. Your disciple account comes in two forms: name@argent.sect is your safe account. All data and programs in the user folder of an argent.sect user is off limits from hacking and exploits. You will have your starter phone and gear available with this argent.sect account for your first three months. You may choose to join the hacker's battleground and obtain a device with your second account: name@argent.unsafe.sect. All unsafe domain accounts are fair game for hacking, social engineering, manipulation et all. After the first three months, all gear with the argent.sect accounts will be confiscated and you will be thrown into the pool to sink or swim.
2. We encourage you to explore the mountain and express your curiosity when interacting with Outer Sect systems. Many features and opportunities are not in plain view, but through risk taking and curiosity you may find them. No disciple is expected to find and unlock everything.
1. Welcome to the Argent Peak Sect. Please follow the rules as indicated in the message from Sect Rules.
Looking at the calendar, she saw that both the Cybernetics class and the Programming class started at 9 am tomorrow morning. The Flow class was listed as Flex (8 pm - 10 pm) start, with an undefined end time.
She checked Currency Manager and saw that it listed the 5 Argent Sect coins under her account.
She poked around the system, checking man pages and all of the applications available on the phone. She didn't find any hidden challenges or oppoortunities yet, but maybe she would get some hints after classes tommorrow.
Eventually she went back to the main room and drifted off to sleep. She never heard Su Ling come back to the small house.
Xianxia / Cyberpunk fusion (with real programming languages and realistic software tools and possible equipment)
[Brainstorming:]
Li Suyin's a more spiritually focussed cultivator, and her father is in the Imperial bureaucracy. Imagine instead that much of the bureaucracy were IT, and that programmer / hacker is parallel to the spiritual / physical divide.
Li Suyin would be exploring the hacker side of things for the first time, with some level of familiarity of progamming.
Augmentation - layering cybernetic enhancements onto body and mind.
Flow - through steady instictive hacking, cultivating the hacker's art.
Formations - firewalls, honeypots, anti-viruses,etc.
Production - programming & writing new software and tools, can be sold to other disciples and/or developed into an art used in family or licensed.
Gear Production - Making a hacker's equipment. The empire controls the most essential semiconductor production lines, which maintain the imperial grip over society.
Argent Peak Sect toolset - Python and an initial set of Argent Peak sect libraries available by pip. Argent Peak Sect augmentation toolkit, and hacking toolkit.
Su Ling, Li Suyin's housemate Cyborg
Made by her mad scientist mother, part human, part AI - damaged and mad at her mother
Cai Shenhua - An AI that seeks to bring order to the chaos of Emerald Seas. Came into power a few hundred years ago. Has an unusual personality for an ai.
Cai Renxiang - An experimental child AI that Shenua made to evolve on and improve her own design. Even for AI, it takes time to soak in the supernatural hacker's art, and no AI lasts forever.
Ling Qi - homeless person pulled off the street as a result of a deep learning algorithm identifying her as a talent. Knows nothing about servers and large computing. She knows how to root a cheap mortal phone and made her living buying, repairing and selling crappy phones and available accessories. Her mother made her money on online cam sites.
Han Jian - team leader, scrum master. Gu Xiulan - suave hacker & programmer. Fierce perl programmer with intense hacks
Fan Yu - Han Fang - ?
Bai Meizhen - cold & offputting aura coming from this Bai main branch scion. Lisp programmer and hacker with many family arts and toolsets. Has a snake algorithm-spirit.
Sun Liling - C programming / Sun computers hacker. The battle between C and Lisp ended in the Sun family (C) and the emperor dealing a heavy blow to the Bai family (Lisp). Has family arts and trickery, and very direct.
Bao Qinglinig - gear medic in the inner sect. Versatile in a wide variety of languages and styles, so that she can unwind bad code in every situation. Expert in unraveling the chains of malicious code, and demands excellence for Li Suyin when she joins the cause.
~
Li Suyin thought she found an empty row, but then a cyborg with an artificial fox-like face sat down next to her. It was the Argent Peak sect's orientation for new members.
She was nervous around the cyborg, who seemed to have human parts and cyborg parts alternating by no design she could figure out.
"Li Suyin," she said.
The girl (fox? cyborg?) grunted. "Su Ling." and turned back to the front of the classroom.
The large room was filling up quickly. Li Suyin looked towards the Bai lady, and noticed an huge area around that one which was empty. She couldn't bear to look at the woman for a moment longer. The Bai's poise and posture screamed hostility, she looked away.
After while, during which Li Suyin wrote her name and a topic header for the orientation in her journal, the Sect elder appeared, as if by magic. Li Suyin knew better, the Imperial bureau, and presumably the sects, had access to advanced holographic projection equipment.
"I am Sect Elder Sima Jiao, head of the Gear department at the Argent Peak Sect. It is unfortunately my turn in the rotation to greet you. I am terribly busy on the best of days so I will not ramble on. To be honest, it is likely that the majority of you will never amount to anything beyond the outer sect where you stand now, and are thus... not particularly worthy of my time.
"Many of you will never know the subtle delight of code flying from your fingertips, will never achieve the heights of flow as you shape your hackers' art. Mere coders, filling the endless maw of the imperial computing bureau, or perhaps serving in an army unit at the frontier, defending against the relentless drive of the horde, defending against intrusions by the weight of sheer numbers.
"In any case, your first years here will serve the purpose of separating those with only minor potential from those with true talent. This is why no one will be allowed to leave the sect grounds during the first year, nor will any correspondence be allowed in or out in the first three months."
Li Suyin was disappointed that she wouldn't get the chance to stay in touch with her family, but she supposed it wasn't that surprising.
"The only other rule is that you may not kill or permanently maim your fellow disciples nor may you damage or steal sect property. In addition, there is to be absolutely no violence between you newcomers for the first three months. Conflict is important for your growth, but it would not do to allow potential to be cut off before it can even begin to bloom."
How could learning take place in a violent environment. Her breath caught in her throat, she felt a fit of fear in her. She had never fought with fists or weapons or any other thing.
Su Ling shifted in her seat and muttered, "figures."
"Each of you will be granted an allowance of five argent coins a month. If you didn't know, these coins are our Argent Sect cryptocurrency, usable within the sect. You may find yourself earning specialized Sect coins, such as Archive coins or Elder instruction coins, but only the argent coins will be given to you freely. I will be handing out phones for your first piece of gear, a simple hackable cell phone, of Argent Sect make, at the end of class.
"This phone will have your 5 argent coins as well as the Argent Peak beginners' toolset, which is installed on the cli. Click on the terminal app to begin your training. You will find and earn much more gear as you progress through these first years, but a true Immortal will find that they progress faster by customizing everything to their unique way."
"Cultivating your hacker art will require several aspects. First programming: our Argent Peak toolset comes with the Python programming language, a good foundation for beginners to learn, and a common language that comes with many tools, some provided by the empire and many specific sect libraries and tools which you can get by running the command: pip.
"There are also secret libraries you may come across through completing special challenges and tribulations. Secondly, you must learn to augment your frail bodies with cybernetic enhancements. You will learn a lot about this in our Cybernetics classes taught by Elder Guan Zhou, he will show you both how to enhance your body in this way, and how to put these enhancements to the test.
"The third aspect you will need to learn is Flow. Flow is the way a hacker supernaturally operates, dealing with trials and situations with speed, precision and understanding beyond the mortal ken, all these things together can be reached when you step outside of the moment by moment awareness of unnecessary details and enter into a hyperfocused state. You will learn to enter flow more easily and reach greater heights of flow through daily practice and weekly exercises.
"You need both long and detailed tests in order to refine your programming art, and quick tests in order to refine your flow art. Cybernetics enhances both of these in differing ways. You will hear much more about all of this from Sect Elder Hua Su, who will teach a Programming Course, and Sect Elder Qiu Yong, who will instruct you in Flow."
After that, the elder mentioned mundane details, like that they would have their everyday necessities provided for, that they would have to pick out their own housing and should be rooming with at least one other. The Elder's classes would be offered for three months, which was a rare luxury, to have such expert wise instructors.
They lined up to get their coins and phone. After a long wait, she took the phone Elder Sima offered. It was a large green phone, with a slide out keyboard. She put the phone away and headed out of the classroom.
Soon they had segregated by gender, and Li Suyin was surrounded by other girls making their way up to the outer sect girls housing with them.
Li Suyin didn't know who to room with. She didn't know any of the other students. So it happeneed by default that she made her way up the mountain path next to Su Ling.
Another new sect member was make a disturbance. She was very tall, and she had approached that Sun family scion in red, who rebuffed her. There were murmurs from the talking girls.
"I heard she asked the Bai witch and Sun Liling to room together with her, completely air-headed of her," said someone walking by.
"What kind of house do you want to look for?" Li Suyin asked her fox-minded "friend".
"Nothin' much. Won't be there anyway."
They settled on a small house with a bedroom and a room for working on the computer. The computer room didn't have any gear in it, but it did have a four port switch with three ethernet cables in the 2nd through 4th ports that were available for use, with a patch cable coming from the wall into the 1st port.
She would have to get a computer with a bigger screen for any serious programming.
"Are you planning on using the computer room tonight?" she asked Su Ling as they decided which side of the room they wanted. There were two small twin sized beds on the two sides of the room, and they took up almost half the small rooms' space.
"I'm headed out on a hunt."
"How can you know anything about this place yet? Isn't that dangerous," she asked concerned for the person she didn't even know. Conspicuous modifications like Su Ling had were out of style these days, at least amongst the Imperial bureaucrats that she saw ocassionally visiting father at their house."
"I'll find out," Su Ling said gruffly. "S' too stuffy here."
"I'll be getting familiar with the Argent toolset, and I'll get some food, if you still eat normal food?"
"Greenboard, if you find any waste greenboard," Su Ling said and left.
Any circuitry she did find would likely be either part of a complete system she could work with, or something more electriconics and electrics, too low level for her taste.
Li Suyin first went to the storehouse to get food. There were plenty of more traditional staples like rice or stuff for simple soups and stews, but also hacker friendly things like pizza and pizza rolls which could be cooked in microwaves that were at the storehouse.
She went for the traditional first, and made some rice and beans for a light meal before a night of programming on the little phone keyboard. Then she went into the computer room and sat at the rustic oak desk. The slab desk was weighty enough to support a supercomputer's weight, she was sure of it.
With just her phone, it was comical. She turned the phone on with a flick of it's power button on the side, and she slid the keyboard out.
It had a row of numbers and punctuation (as shift-alternates) along the top, as well as the usual letters and shift/control/alt, enter and meta keys, as well as braces, brackets and slash. Li Suyin hadn't seen the meta key used, but she heard the Lisp community (particular the Bai family) used it with their Lisp based editor.
The phone, once it completes its boot, showes a flash screen of Unix, Argent Peak Distribution.
(See page COPYRIGHT for further information on your rights and responsibilities as a sect member).
It shows a tile screen with six apps: Currency Manager, CYNet and Terminal, Calendar, SMessage and Email. The email icon showed a faded out appearance, and she couldn't open it when she clicked on it.
Li Suyin stopped playing around and entered the terminal. The same Argent Peak Distribution message showed up, plus there was a new message: "man intro to get started."
Then a standard Unix terminal appeared.
lsuyin132@argent.sect:~$ man intro
Intro (1)
Name - Intro - a command providing an introductory tutorial experience
SYNOPSIS
Intro
Intro resume
Intro restart
DESCRIPTION
A command providing a tutorial experience for new members of the Argent Peak sect, first being introduced to the sect's language and toolset. This command will provide a quick start of commands for navigating Unix and Python
Intro and Intro resume are the same, they will resume execution of the tutorial from where it left off in the last session.
Intro restart will begin again at the start of the tutorial.
Intro DOES NOT provide an exhaustive education, as that is the purpose of the Outer disciple's time at the Sect, and no tool could provide such.
lsuyin132@argent.sect:~$ Intro
Intro
PT1 - Introduction to Argent Sect terminal operations
This tutorial is not intended to hold your hand, but instead to give you the basics that will get any disciple of the outer sect started.
At a rudimentary level of training, you should know the following commands: apt, pip, python, vim, git. There are multitudes of other commands, tools and utilities that you will want to learn and use, but that is a matter of your choice what to learn.
With these five tools, you can obtain many of these other tools you may want to use. Of course many tools are hidden and only available by completing challenges and showing an impressive performance. You will find the imperial standard set of tools is already available through apt.
APT
apt, is your package management system for Argent Peak linux. Packages can be libraries supporting code you desire to write (although usually that is through pip).
We will use apt in order to obtain pip, which is Python's package management system.
Type in the following command and hit enter: sudo apt get python-pip [for now, consider sudo to be just a little prefix to your apt command, always run sudo apt instead of just apt].
You will see a whir of text flashing across your terminal screen, then it will let you know that after this operation 555 kb of additional data will be downloaded, do you want to continue?
Type in the letter y and enter.
Try this now. Intro will exit and allow you to try this command.
lsuyin132@argent.sect:~$ sudo apt install python-pip
Li Suyin yawned. This is baby level basics, stuff her father had taught her on his knee. Maybe it wasn't python and this particular distribution but the commands came easy.
She watched the scroll of text from apt get. Then she restarted intro.
Throughout this intro and for your first few years in the sect, you will be prompted to show initiative and learn by try/fail cycles. This is a trivial first example problem in this vein.
Install the vim package using what you already know.
Li Suyin quickly typed in the same command, but with vim in place of python-pip. This package was using 8 mb of additional space. She said yes, and then when vim was installed, she ran the df command to see how much space she had on the phone. There was only 2 gb of space on the phone, so she would have to be careful.
To find out more information about apt or any other command, just put man in front of the command to receive the manual page for the command.
With both pip installed and vim installed, we can proceed. Python can be run either in interactive or file mode, and is already installed on all Sect computers. In interactive mode you can run code and quickly see the result. File mode allows you to run python programs.
Enter the command: python to enter interactive mode.
Li Suyin yawned again and suppressed her desire to push past this. She was used to compiled languages, so she needed to pay attention.
She whirred through the introduction to python interactive mode, and then the vim tutorial was stuff she mostly knew already. She ran python in file mode in a couple of examples, after editing new files in vim.
The tutorial continued with installing git and setting up a repository by sshing into the Argent Sect's student provisioning server.
The server identified her as a student and walked her through creating and initializing a practice gitlab repository on the Sect's hosted gitlab installation.
Neither the Intro nor the server's help functions showed her what ssh or any other commands were but they merely gave verbatim commands to enter.
Soon Li Suyin had the practice repository set up on her lsuyin132 account. She didn't expect there to be so many lsuyins, but that could be any last name starting with an l and suyin was fairly common.
Following the intro, she cloned the cloud repository to her phone and went through some examples combining pip libraries, vim editing and git commits and manipulations.
She tried to set up her favorite Fsharp programming language on the terminal, but it was generating some error messages, generating weird executables that didn't run. Father mentioned Fsharp was related to another language called Ocaml which might be more available in a non imperial-bureau environment. She would check that out later.
Instead Li Suyin switched to creating a simple "Hello Sect"! program in python. First in interactive mode, and then in file mode.
$ mkdir python
$ python3
Python 3.6.7
>>> print("Hello Sect!")
Hello Sect!
>>> quit()
$ vim hello.py
[file: hello.py]
print("Hello Sect!")
:wq
$ python3 hello.pv
Hello Sect!
She hid the terminal app, and clicked on SMessage.
SMessage v2.8, licensed for use by the Argent Peak Sect
lsuyin132...
Conversations --
Conversation with Sect Staff
5. The calendar app is pre-loaded with class schedules and important sect dates. Classes are voluntary but recommended.
4. Email is locked until after the first three months are up. You may email outside sources after that time, however no algorithms may be transfered by email until after your first year at the sect.
3. Your disciple account comes in two forms: name@argent.sect is your safe account. All data and programs in the user folder of an argent.sect user is off limits from hacking and exploits. You will have your starter phone and gear available with this argent.sect account for your first three months. You may choose to join the hacker's battleground and obtain a device with your second account: name@argent.unsafe.sect. All unsafe domain accounts are fair game for hacking, social engineering, manipulation et all. After the first three months, all gear with the argent.sect accounts will be confiscated and you will be thrown into the pool to sink or swim.
2. We encourage you to explore the mountain and express your curiosity when interacting with Outer Sect systems. Many features and opportunities are not in plain view, but through risk taking and curiosity you may find them. No disciple is expected to find and unlock everything.
1. Welcome to the Argent Peak Sect. Please follow the rules as indicated in the message from Sect Rules.
Looking at the calendar, she saw that both the Cybernetics class and the Programming class started at 9 am tomorrow morning. The Flow class was listed as Flex (8 pm - 10 pm) start, with an undefined end time.
She checked Currency Manager and saw that it listed the 5 Argent Sect coins under her account.
She poked around the system, checking man pages and all of the applications available on the phone. She didn't find any hidden challenges or oppoortunities yet, but maybe she would get some hints after classes tommorrow.
Eventually she went back to the main room and drifted off to sleep. She never heard Su Ling come back to the small house.